卫生巾
wèishēngjīn
In Chinese, the English phrase "pads" (referring to absorbent materials worn by women to collect menstrual flow) is translated as 卫生巾 (wèishēngjīn).
卫生巾 is the standard, most common way to refer to menstrual pads in a pharmacy or supermarket setting.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 卫生巾 is composed of 卫生 (wèishēng) meaning 'hygiene' and 巾 (jīn) meaning 'cloth' or 'towel'.
Which one should you use?
Another common way to say 'pads' is 卫生棉 (wèishēngmián), where 棉 (mián) means 'cotton'. Additionally, 软垫 is a formal way to say pads, literally meaning 'soft pad,' often used for cushions or mattress pads.
How do you pronounce it?
wèishēngjīn
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, some people avoid the word 卫生巾 and instead use the term 大姨妈 ('big aunt') to refer to the entire menstrual period and its associated products.
- Chinese culture often uses the concept of 'cold' and 'heat' regarding menstruation, meaning that while buying 卫生巾, you may see accompanying advice to avoid cold drinks.
- If you accidentally use 软垫 (ruǎndiàn) when asking for a sanitary product, a clerk might direct you to the furniture section or the bedding aisle instead of the pharmacy.
Examples in context
- 我需要买一些护垫。I need to buy some pads.
- 你能帮我买卫生巾吗？Can you help me buy some sanitary pads?
- 别忘了带垫子去露营。Don't forget to bring pads when you go camping.
- 我想买卫生巾。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi wēishēngjīn.I want to buy sanitary pads.
- 超市的卫生巾在二楼。Chāoshì de wēishēngjīn zài èr lóu.The pads are on the second floor of the supermarket.
- 你带卫生巾了吗？Nǐ dài wēishēngjīn le ma?Did you bring pads?
Example conversation
A husband is at the supermarket helping his wife.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，你需要买什么吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ xūyào mǎi shénme ma?Xiaowen, do you need to buy anything?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen请帮我买一包卫生巾。Qǐng bāng wǒ mǎi yī bāo wēishēngjīn.Please help me buy a pack of pads.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，还有别的吗？Hǎo de, hái yǒu bié de ma?Okay, anything else?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen没有了，谢谢你。Méiyǒu le, xièxiè nǐ.That's all, thank you.
