羽毛球

• Pinyin: yǔ máo qiú
• Hanzi breakdown: 羽 = pictograph of feathers; 毛 = pictograph of hair/fur; 球 = 王 + 求, ball

Meaning

Badminton. A racket sport played with a shuttlecock over a net.

One of the most popular sports in China, especially strong in Olympic competition. Literally means 'feather ball' referring to the shuttlecock. Can refer to both the sport and the shuttlecock itself. Related: 打羽毛球 (to play badminton), 羽毛球拍 (badminton racket).

Examples

1. 我每周末都会和朋友去打羽毛球。 I go play badminton with friends every weekend.
2. 中国在羽毛球比赛中经常获得金牌。 China often wins gold medals in badminton competitions.
3. 羽毛球是一项很好的全身运动。 Badminton is a great full-body exercise.

Usage Guide

Context: sports, recreation, fitness

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 要不要一起打羽毛球？(Want to play badminton together?)
• 她羽毛球打得很好。(She plays badminton very well.)

Don't Say

• 玩羽毛球 (Use 打羽毛球, not 玩羽毛球 — 打 is the standard verb for racket sports)

Origin & History

Compound of 羽毛 (feather) and 球 (ball). Named for the feathered shuttlecock used in the game.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal