图书馆 túshūguǎn library
How to remember 图书馆: 图 diagram + 书 book + 馆 public building = library.
Characters
How it is used
- A library - 去图书馆 (qù túshūguǎn) go to the library, 图书馆借书 (jiè shū) borrow books.
- The 馆 suffix marks public buildings/venues: cf. 博物馆 museum, 体育馆 gymnasium, 大使馆 embassy.
- Distinct from 书店 (shūdiàn, bookstore) where you buy books.
- 图书 (túshū) alone = books/publications (formal); 图书馆 = the building housing them.
Example sentences
- 我去图书馆还书。 Wǒ qù túshūguǎn huánshū.I'm going to the library to return the books.
- 我去图书馆借书。 Wǒ qù túshūguǎn jiè shū.I'm going to the library to borrow some books.
- 他们在图书馆里学习。 Tāmen zài túshūguǎn lǐ xuéxí.They're studying in the library.
- 我去图书馆找资料。 Wǒ qù túshūguǎn zhǎo zīliào.I'm going to the library to try to find some information/materials.