筆 / 笔
bǐ
The English word "pen" can be translated into Chinese as 筆 / 笔 (bǐ). Wiktionary also lists 鋼筆 / 钢笔 (gāngbǐ) and 圓珠筆 / 圆珠笔 (yuánzhūbǐ).
Meaning: writing tool (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 筆 / 笔 | bǐ | |
| 鋼筆 / 钢笔 | gāngbǐ | |
| 圓珠筆 / 圆珠笔 | yuánzhūbǐ | |
| 筆 / 笔 | pit | Hokkien |
In Chinese, 筆 / 笔 is a general term for a writing tool.
What does it mean word for word?
The term for a ballpoint pen, 圓珠筆 / 圆珠笔, literally means "round bead pen". The term for a fountain pen, 鋼筆 / 钢笔, literally means "steel pen".
Which one should you use?
While 筆 / 笔 is the general noun for a writing tool, 鋼筆 / 钢笔 refers specifically to a fountain pen and 圓珠筆 / 圆珠笔 refers specifically to a ballpoint pen.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hokkien, the word for pen is pronounced pit and written as 筆 / 笔. In northern China, particularly in Beijing, you may hear the colloquial term 笔儿 (bǐr).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The related verb meaning "to write" is 寫 / 写.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization for 筆 / 笔 is pit.
Did you know?
- Some linguists believe the word 筆 / 笔 may have originated from an ancient Austro-Tai word for 'hairy filaments' or 'husk'.
- In certain contexts, 筆 / 笔 can be used as a classifier for a sum of money or a specific account entry.
- In Chinese culture, the 'Four Treasures of the Study' include the 筆 / 笔 along with ink, paper and an inkstone.
Examples in context
- 我需要一支钢笔写字。(Wǒ xūyào yī zhī gāngbǐ xiězì.)I need a pen to write.
- 昨天我买了一支圆珠笔。(Zuótiān wǒ mǎile yī zhī yuánzhūbǐ.)Yesterday, I bought a ballpoint pen.
- 北京话里"笔儿"是什么意思？(Běijīng huà lǐ "bǐr" shì shénme yìsi?)What's the meaning of "bǐr" in Beijing dialect?
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 筆, CC BY-SA 4.0.
