卷笔刀
juǎn bǐ dāo
The English phrase 'sharpener' can be translated into Mandarin as 卷笔刀 (juǎn bǐ dāo).
While 'sharpener' can refer to many devices used to sharpen various tools, in Mandarin, 卷笔刀 specifically refers to a pencil sharpener.
Meaning: device for making things sharp (noun)
How do you pronounce it?
juǎn bǐ dāo
Did you know?
- In Chinese schools, the traditional way to sharpen a pencil without a 卷笔刀 is using a utility knife to shave the wood away. This skill is still taught to many students as a way to achieve a custom point.
- The action of sharpening a pencil uses the verb 削, which is the exact same word used for peeling the skin off an apple.
- The word 卷笔刀 is composed of three distinct parts: 卷 meaning 'to roll', 笔 meaning 'pencil' and 刀 meaning 'knife'.
Examples in context
- 我今天买了个新的削铅笔器，它削得非常快！Today, I bought a new sharpener, and it sharpens very quickly!
- 这个削铅笔器不好用，削不出尖来。This sharpener is not good, it can't sharpen the pencil to a point.
- 我可以借你的笔刀吗？Can I borrow your sharpener?
- 别忘了把削笔刨放回铅笔盒里。Don't forget to put the sharpener back into the pencil case.
- 我需要一个卷笔刀。Wǒ xūyào yīgè juǎnbǐdāo.I need a sharpener.
- 这个卷笔刀坏了。Zhège juǎnbǐdāo huàile.This sharpener is broken.
- 你的卷笔刀在哪里？Nǐ de juǎnbǐdāo zài nǎlǐ?Where is your sharpener?
Example conversation
Two students are preparing for an art class in the classroom.
- 志强 Zhiqiang晓雯，你有卷笔刀吗？Xiǎowén, nǐ yǒu juǎnbǐdāo ma?Xiaowen, do you have a sharpener?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen有，在我的笔袋里。Yǒu, zài wǒ de bǐdài lǐ.Yes, it's in my pencil case.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我的铅笔断了，能借我用用吗？Wǒ de qiānbǐ duàn le, néng jiè wǒ yòngyòng ma?My pencil broke, can I borrow it?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen没问题，给你。Méi wèntí, gěi nǐ.No problem, here you go.
