笔记本

• Pinyin: bǐ jì běn
• Hanzi breakdown: 笔 (bǐ) — pen; 记 (jì) — to record; 本 (běn) — book, volume

Meaning

Notebook; also colloquially refers to a laptop computer (short for 笔记本电脑).

A physical notebook for writing notes, or colloquially a laptop computer. Context usually makes the meaning clear.

Examples

1. 我买了一本新笔记本来记单词。 I bought a new notebook to write down vocabulary.
2. 他的笔记本电脑坏了，需要修。 His laptop is broken and needs to be repaired.
3. 课桌上有三本笔记本。 There are three notebooks on the desk.

Usage Guide

Context: studying, technology, everyday life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 我需要一个新笔记本。(I need a new notebook.)
• 她带着笔记本电脑去上班。(She brings her laptop to work.)

Don't Say

• Avoid using 笔记本 alone when referring to a laptop in formal or technical contexts — use the full term 笔记本电脑 to avoid ambiguity.

Origin & History

Compound of 笔记 (bǐjì, notes) + 本 (běn, bound volume/book). The laptop meaning emerged as a natural extension when portable computers became common.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal