字母表
zìmǔbiǎo
The English phrase "the abc's" translates to the Chinese 字母表 (zìmǔbiǎo).
字母表 refers to the concept of an alphabet. In casual conversation, however, speakers often shorten this to 字母 when they are referring to letters in general.
What does it mean word for word?
字母表 is composed of 字母 (zìmǔ), meaning 'letters' and 表 (biǎo), meaning 'table' or 'list'.
How do you pronounce it?
zìmǔbiǎo
Did you know?
- While 字母表 means 'alphabet', Chinese is a logographic language that does not use an alphabet. The term was specifically coined to describe the writing systems of other languages.
- In Chinese, when people talk about the alphabet, they often use the word 字母 (zìmǔ) which literally translates to 'letter-mother'.
- The word 表 is also used in 手表 for 'wristwatch', because the face of a watch is seen as a kind of table or dial.
Examples in context
- 你会背英文字母表吗？Nǐ huì bèi Yīngwén zìmǔbiǎo ma?Do you know the English alphabet by heart?
- 请把英文字母表写一遍。Qǐng bǎ Yīngwén zìmǔbiǎo xiě yībiàn.Please write out the English alphabet once.
- 这个孩子已经会背字母表了。Zhège háizi yǐjīng huì bèi zìmǔbiǎo le.This child already knows the alphabet.
Example conversation
A teacher is checking a student's basic English skills.
- 伟 Wei梓涵，你会背英文字母表吗？Zǐhán, nǐ huì bèi Yīngwén zìmǔbiǎo ma?Zihan, do you know the English alphabet?
- 梓涵 Zihan我会的，我可以念给您听。Wǒ huì de, wǒ kěyǐ niàn gěi nín tīng.I do, I can recite it for you.
- 伟 Wei好的，请开始吧。Hǎo de, qǐng kāishǐ ba.Okay, please start.
- 梓涵 ZihanA, B, C, D…A, B, C, D…A, B, C, D…
