幼儿园
yòu'éryuán
The English word 'preschool' (relating to years before primary school) translates to Chinese as 幼儿园 (yòu'éryuán).
The term 幼儿园 literally translates to 'kindergarten' and is often used interchangeably with the concept of 'preschool' in Chinese contexts. To express that someone is 'attending preschool' or 'in preschool', you should use the verb 上 (shàng) with 幼儿园.
Meaning: relating to years before primary school (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 幼儿园 is composed of 幼儿 (yòu'ér), which means 'young child' and 园 (yuán), meaning 'garden' or 'park'.
Which one should you use?
While 幼儿园 is the standard term for preschool, 学前班 is a formal term often translated as 'pre-kindergarten' and 托儿所 can be translated as 'nursery' or 'childcare center'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
幼儿园 is used in Mainland China, Singapore and other Chinese-speaking communities. In Hong Kong, the term 幼稚園 is commonly used for preschool, while in Taiwan and Hong Kong, 学前班 is commonly used.
How do you pronounce it?
yòu'éryuán
Did you know?
- The word 园 in 幼儿园 means 'garden', mirroring the German 'Kindergarten'. This is because early Chinese education systems were heavily influenced by Friedrich Froebel, the German educator who invented the concept of the kindergarten.
- In some competitive Chinese cities, 'preschool' can include 幼小衔接 classes, which are intensive bridge programs designed to prepare children for the rigors of primary school.
- The verb 上 used with 幼儿园 is the same character used for 'up' or 'above', but in this context it means to attend or enroll in an institution.
Examples in context
- 他在幼儿园上学。Tā zài yòu'éryuán shàngxué.He goes to preschool.
- 这是幼儿园的校车。Zhè shì yòu'éryuán de xiàochē.This is the preschool school bus.
- 她喜欢幼儿园的生活。Tā xǐhuān yòu'éryuán de shēnghuó.She likes preschool life.
Example conversation
A couple is talking about their child's daily routine.
- 志强 Zhiqiang孩子在幼儿园开心吗？Háizi zài yòu'éryuán kāixīn ma?Is the child happy at preschool?
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，他每天都很开心。Zhìqiáng, tā měitiān dōu hěn kāixīn.Zhiqiang, he is very happy every day.
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我就放心了。Nà wǒ jiù fàngxīn le.Then I can feel relieved.
- 雨婷 Yuting幼儿园的老师也很温柔。Yòu'éryuán de lǎoshī yě hěn wēnróu.The preschool teachers are also very gentle.
