店

• Pinyin: diàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 店 = 广 (shelter, building) + 占 (to occupy; phonetic)

Meaning

Shop; store. A general term for any retail establishment or small business.

Very versatile — used alone or in compounds like 书店 (bookshop), 花店 (flower shop), 饭店 (hotel/restaurant), and 商店 (shop). Can refer to physical or online stores.

Examples

1. 学校旁边有一家很小的店。 There is a small shop next to the school.
2. 这家店的东西又好又便宜。 This shop has good and cheap things.
3. 她在一家服装店工作。 She works at a clothing store.

Usage Guide

Context: shopping, everyday life, directions

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 这家店什么时候关门？(When does this shop close?)
• 我经常去那家店买东西。(I often go to that shop to buy things.)

Don't Say

• 不要混淆'店'和'家' — 店 is a business establishment, while 家 means home. 回店 sounds odd unless you work there; say 去店里 for visiting a shop.

Origin & History

An ancient character originally meaning 'inn' or 'lodge.' Over time, it broadened to mean any commercial establishment.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal