书包

• Pinyin: shū bāo
• Hanzi breakdown: 书 (book) + 包 (bag, package)

Meaning

Schoolbag; backpack. A bag used for carrying books and school supplies.

Primarily refers to a schoolbag or student backpack. While 背包 is the general word for any backpack, 书包 specifically implies a bag used for school or study purposes. Very commonly used by students of all ages.

Examples

1. 我的书包很重。 My schoolbag is very heavy.
2. 书包里有三本书。 There are three books in the schoolbag.
3. 妈妈给我买了一个新书包。 Mom bought me a new schoolbag.

Usage Guide

Context: school, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 把书放进书包里。(Put the book in your schoolbag.)
• 你的书包在椅子上。(Your schoolbag is on the chair.)

Don't Say

• 我的书包坏了，我要买一个包。(Ambiguous — say 买一个新书包 to be specific; 包 alone can mean any kind of bag)

Origin & History

Compound of 书 (book) and 包 (bag), literally 'book bag.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal