塑料袋
sùliàodài
The English phrase "plastic bag" is translated into Chinese as 塑料袋 (sùliàodài). Wiktionary also lists 塑膠袋 / 塑胶袋 and 膠袋 / 胶袋 (jiāodài).
Meaning: type of packaging (noun)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 塑料袋 | sùliàodài | |
| 塑膠袋 / 塑胶袋 | ||
| 膠袋 / 胶袋 | jiāodài | China, South |
This noun refers to a type of packaging.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 塑料袋 is composed of 塑料 (sùliào), meaning 'plastic' and 袋 (dài), meaning 'bag'.
Which one should you use?
塑料袋 (sùliàodài) is the standard term used in Mainland China, while 塑胶袋 (sùjiāodài) is more common in Taiwan. In Southern China and Hong Kong, people often use 胶袋 (jiāodài) instead.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern China, Hong Kong and other Cantonese-speaking regions, people often use 胶袋 (jiāodài) to refer to a plastic bag.
How do you pronounce it?
sùliàodài
Did you know?
- The character 胶 (glue/rubber) in 胶袋 comes from a word that originally referred to animal glues made from hides and bones.
- In some Cantonese contexts, the term 胶 is used as a slang prefix for things that are 'fake' or 'cheap', reflecting the material nature of a 胶袋.
- The difference between the Mainland 塑料 (sùliào) and the Taiwanese 塑胶 (sùjiāo) reflects a historical divergence in how scientific terminology was transliterated into Chinese.
Examples in context
- 不，谢谢。我不需要塑料袋。No thank you, I don't need a plastic bag.This sentence is useful for practicing how to decline a plastic bag using 塑料袋.Tatoeba #1545675 by clare, translation #1335215 by Saney
- 请给我一个塑料袋。Please give me a plastic bag.
- 我们需要一些塑胶袋。We need some plastic bags.
- 这个塑料袋太小了。Zhège sùliàodài tài xiǎole.This plastic bag is too small.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Zi Han and Wei are at a supermarket checkout.
- 梓涵 Zihan你需要塑料袋吗？Nǐ xūyào sùliào dài ma?Do you need a plastic bag?
- 伟 Wei我带了购物袋。Wǒ dài le gòuwù dài.I brought a shopping bag.
- 梓涵 Zihan那太好了，谢谢。Nà tài hǎo le, xièxie.That's great, thank you.
- 伟 Wei不客气，梓涵。Bù kèqì, Zǐhán.You're welcome, Zi Han.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plastic bag” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
