枕头
zhěntou
The Chinese word for "pillow" is 枕头 (zhěntou).
枕头 refers to a soft cushion used to support the head in bed.
Meaning: soft cushion used to support the head in bed (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The first character 枕 means "pillow" or "to lean against".
Which one should you use?
While 枕头 refers to a sleeping pillow, 靠枕 (kàozhěn) is used for decorative or support cushions used for sitting or leaning.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Mandarin, the term 枕頭 (zhěn tóu) means pillow.
How does it change in a sentence?
枕头 is a noun and does not change its form for pluralization.
How do you pronounce it?
zhěntou
Did you know?
- Historically, ceramic pillows were used in China during the summer to keep the head cool and prevent perspiration from ruining elaborate hairstyles.
- The character 枕 in 枕头 is composed of the radical for 'wood' or 'tree', reflecting the ancient history of wooden pillows.
- Certain traditional Chinese 'fragrant pillows' were filled with herbs and aromatic seeds to treat insomnia and calm the mind.
Examples in context
- 令人满足的生活从简单的问题开始。在晚上关好灯，把头枕到枕头上，你能听到什么呢？是你灵魂的歌唱，还是恶灵的笑声？Leading a fulfilling life really comes down to a simple question: When you turn off the lights at night and your head is on the pillow, what do you hear? Your soul singing or Satan laughing?This sentence shows how to use 枕头 when describing the sensation of resting your head at night.Tatoeba #8696290 by crescat, translation #504793 by saeb
- 我借了你的枕头。I borrowed your pillow.This sentence uses 枕头 to indicate the act of borrowing a pillow.Tatoeba #8903300 by iiujik, translation #3074818 by CM
- 最好备一本家用医卫手册在枕头边，常常翻翻看看。It's best to keep a household medical manual by your pillow and read it from time to time.This sentence demonstrates the use of 枕头 when describing an object kept beside one's pillow.Tatoeba #420928 by sysko, translation #13559557 by LeviHighway
- 请给我换个枕头。(Qǐng gěi wǒ huàn ge zhěntóu.)Please give me another pillow.
- 这个枕头很舒适。(Zhè ge zhěntóu hěn shūshì.)This pillow is very comfortable.
- 给我那个抱枕。(Gěi wǒ nà ge bào zhěn.)Give me that pillow (body pillow).
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At home, Zhiqiang is helping Yuting prepare the bed.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你要用这个枕头吗？Nǐ yào yòng zhège zhěntou ma?Do you want to use this pillow?
- 雨婷 Yuting不用，我可以用自己的。Bùyòng, wǒ kěyǐ yòng zìjǐ de.No, I can use my own.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个枕头很舒服。Zhège zhěntou hěn shūfu.This pillow is very comfortable.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢，志强。Xièxie, Zhìqiáng.Thanks, Zhiqiang.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
