印刷

• Pinyin: yìn shuā
• Hanzi breakdown: 印 = 卩 (kneeling person) + 爪, to stamp/seal; 刷 = 尸 + 巾 + 刂, to brush/print

Meaning

To print; printing. The process of reproducing text and images on paper or other materials.

Refers to the mechanical or digital reproduction of text and images. Includes traditional printing, offset printing, and digital printing. Common compounds: 印刷品 (printed matter), 印刷厂 (printing factory), 印刷术 (printing technology — one of China's Four Great Inventions).

Examples

1. 这本书是用环保油墨印刷的。 This book is printed with eco-friendly ink.
2. 中国古代的印刷术对世界文明有重大贡献。 Ancient Chinese printing technology made significant contributions to world civilization.
3. 我们需要印刷一千份宣传册。 We need to print one thousand brochures.

Usage Guide

Context: publishing, manufacturing, business

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个印刷质量不错。(This printing quality is good.)
• 印刷费用是多少？(What's the printing cost?)

Don't Say

• 我印刷了一个照片 (For photos, use 打印 or 冲洗 — 印刷 is for mass/commercial printing)

Origin & History

Compound of 印 (to stamp, print) and 刷 (to brush, to print). Both characters relate to the printing process.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal