纪念品
jì niàn pǐn
The Chinese word for souvenir is 纪念品 (jì niàn pǐn).
The term 纪念品 is used to describe both small commercial items purchased while traveling and more meaningful objects kept to commemorate a specific event.
Meaning: item of sentimental value (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 纪念 (jì niàn), meaning 'to remember' or 'commemorate' and 品 (pǐn), meaning 'article' or 'item'.
Which one should you use?
While 纪念品 refers to portable items, 纪念物 (jì niàn wù) is used for more permanent or large-scale commemorations such as monuments or landmarks.
How do you pronounce it?
jì niàn pǐn
Did you know?
- While 纪念品 describes the object, the act of giving a souvenir to coworkers upon returning from a trip is so common that it is often viewed as a social obligation in Chinese workplace culture.
- The component 念 in 纪念 contains the radical for 'heart' (心), reflecting the emotional and sentimental essence of the word.
- When buying souvenirs, Chinese speakers may use the term 特产 (tè chǎn), which refers specifically to 'special local products' like food or crafts unique to a region, rather than general trinkets.
Examples in context
- 这将是我环绕美国旅行中一个很好的纪念品。This will be a good souvenir of my trip around the United States.This sentence shows how to describe a souvenir from a trip using 纪念品.Tatoeba #1778287 by sadhen, translation #1586 by CK
- 你觉得她最想要什么纪念品？What souvenir do you think she would like most?This sentence asks about someone's preference regarding a souvenir using 纪念品.Tatoeba #332733 by fucongcong, translation #317537 by CM
- 我在中国买了一些纪念品。I bought some souvenirs in China.
- 我给你带了几个小礼物。I brought you some souvenirs.
- 这些纪念品儿都挺特别的。These souvenirs are quite special.
- 需要带点儿纪念品吗？Do you need some souvenirs?
- 谢谢你给我的纪念品。Thank you for the souvenir you gave me.
- 这是一件很有意义的纪念品。Zhè shì yī jiàn hěn yǒu yìyì de jìniánpǐn.This is a very meaningful souvenir.
Example conversation
At a gift shop in a tourist town.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你想买什么纪念品吗？Nǐ xiǎng mǎi shénme jìniánpǐn ma?Do you want to buy any souvenirs?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen我想买一个精致的小摆件。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīgè jīngzhì de xiǎo bǎijiàn.I want to buy a delicate little ornament.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这个纪念品看起来很漂亮。Zhège jìniánpǐn kàn qǐlái hěn piàoliang.This souvenir looks very beautiful.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen对，我也觉得它很特别。Duì, wǒ yě juédé tā hěn tèbié.Yes, I also think it is very special.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
