钢笔

• Pinyin: gāng bǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 钢 = steel; 笔 = pen/brush

Meaning

Fountain pen. A pen with a metal nib that uses liquid ink.

Traditional writing instrument still valued for calligraphy and formal writing. Often given as gifts and associated with education and professionalism.

Examples

1. 爷爷送给我一支很贵重的钢笔。 Grandpa gave me a very precious fountain pen.
2. 用钢笔写字比用圆珠笔更有质感。 Writing with a fountain pen has more texture than a ballpoint pen.
3. 这支钢笔陪伴了他整个大学时代。 This fountain pen accompanied him through his entire university years.

Usage Guide

Context: writing, gifts, stationery

Tone: nostalgic

Do Say

• 这支钢笔写起来很顺滑。(This fountain pen writes very smoothly.)
• 钢笔需要定期加墨水。(Fountain pens need to be refilled with ink regularly.)

Don't Say

• 钢笔画 for casual drawing (While technically possible, 钢笔画 specifically refers to pen-and-ink illustration art — for casual drawing use 用钢笔画)

Origin & History

Compound of 钢 (steel) + 笔 (pen), describing the metal nib material.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal