博物馆
bówùguǎn
The English word "museum" is translated into Chinese as 博物馆 (bówùguǎn).
The term 博物馆 is used to refer to general museums, such as those dedicated to art, history or science.
Meaning: building or institution (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 博 (bó), meaning to collect or extensive. 物 (wù), meaning thing or object. And 馆 (guǎn), meaning building, establishment or hall.
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, 博物馆 is invariant and does not change its form to indicate plurality.
How do you pronounce it?
bówùguǎn
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the term 博物馆 is often paired with the verb 逛 (guàng), which means 'to stroll' or 'to roam', suggesting a leisurely experience rather than a formal study.
- The word 博 (bó) in 博物馆 also appears in the word for 'doctorate' 博士 (bóshì), as both imply a vast and extensive breadth of knowledge.
- The character 馆 used in 博物馆 is also used for 'hotels' 酒店 / 旅馆 and 'embassies' 大使馆, reflecting an ancient definition of a public hall for hosting guests.
Examples in context
- 那辆车属于一家博物馆。The car belongs to a museum.This sentence shows how to say a car belongs to a museum using 博物馆.Tatoeba #5091245 by mirrorvan, translation #13086542 by araneo
- 这博物馆里面没有活的生物。There are no live animals in the museum.This sentence explains that there are no live animals inside the museum using 博物馆.Tatoeba #1490505 by sadhen, translation #282549 by Eldad
- 博物馆在哪里？Where is the museum?This sentence is useful for asking for the location of the museum using 博物馆.Tatoeba #715813 by sysko, translation #282553 by CK
- 我们今天要参观博物馆。We are going to visit the museum today.
- 昨天我和朋友去了一个很有趣的博物館。Yesterday, my friends and I went to a very interesting museum.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Junjie and Jiayi are planning their day trip in the city.
- 佳怡 Jiayi我们要去那个博物馆吗？Wǒmen yào qù nàge bówùguǎn ma?Are we going to that museum?
- 俊杰 Junjie是的，听说那里有很棒的展出。Shìde, tīngshuō nàlǐ yǒu hěn bàng de zhǎnchū.Yes, I heard there are great exhibits there.
- 佳怡 Jiayi那我们现在就出发吧。Nà wǒmen xiànzài jiù chūfā ba.Then let's head out right now.
- 俊杰 Junjie好，我来查一下博物馆的门票。Hǎo, wǒ lái chá yīxià bówùguǎn de ménpiào.Okay, I'll check the museum tickets.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
