How to Say "Refrigerator" in Chinese

冰箱

bīngxiāng

The Chinese word for refrigerator is 冰箱 (bīngxiāng). If unsure, use 冰箱. Wiktionary also lists 冰櫥 / 冰橱 (bīngchú).

Meaning: appliance (noun)

Ways to say it

“refrigerator” in Chinese
Chinese	Romanization (Wiktionary)	Note
冰箱	bīngxiāng
冰櫥 / 冰橱	bīngchú	Malaysia, Singapore

The word 冰箱 is composed of two parts: 冰, which means 'ice' and 箱, which means 'box' or 'case'. Literally, it translates to 'ice box'.

In Malaysia and Singapore, the term 冰櫥 / 冰橱 (bīngchú) is used.

bīngxiāng

The character 冷 in 冷库 is used for 'cold', but it is also used to describe a person who is 'aloof' or 'unfriendly'.
In Chinese, the word for 'ice cream' 冰淇淋 uses the same 冰 as refrigerator, but 淇淋 is a phonetic loanword from the English 'cream'.
The character 箱 is used for a refrigerator but also for 'suitcases' and 'mailboxes', treating the appliance as a type of storage chest.

我要修冰箱。
I have to repair the refrigerator.
This sentence is useful for expressing the need to repair the 冰箱.
Tatoeba #9096094 by xjjAstrus, translation #1744951 by Amastan
冰箱是空的。
The refrigerator was empty.
This sentence is useful for describing the state of the 冰箱.
Tatoeba #13524024 by LeviHighway, translation #6309854 by Hybrid
冰箱裡有優格。
There's yogurt in the refrigerator.
This sentence is useful for stating what is inside the 冰箱.
Tatoeba #13826841 by LeviHighway, translation #3719079 by CK
14 more sentences on Tatoeba

A couple is discussing a new kitchen appliance.

伟 Wei

這台冰箱很漂亮。
Zhè tái bīngxiāng hěn piàoliang.
This refrigerator is very beautiful.
佳怡 Jiayi

可是它太貴了。
Kěshì tā tài guì le.
But it is too expensive.
伟 Wei

那我們買舊一點的冰箱吧。
Nà wǒmen mǎi jiù yīdiǎn de bīngxiāng ba.
Then let's buy a slightly older refrigerator.
佳怡 Jiayi

好，聽你的。
Hǎo, tīng nǐ de.
Okay, I'll listen to you.

Sources

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