品牌

• Pinyin: pǐn pái
• Hanzi breakdown: 品 = three mouths, product/grade; 牌 = 片 (piece) + 卑 (phonetic), sign/card. A sign of quality.

Meaning

Brand; trademark; label.

Refers to commercial brands and their reputation. Common phrases: 品牌形象 (brand image), 知名品牌 (well-known brand), 自主品牌 (independent/domestic brand), 品牌效应 (brand effect). Central concept in marketing and consumer culture.

Examples

1. 这个品牌的手机在年轻人中特别受欢迎。 This brand of phones is especially popular among young people.
2. 公司花了十年时间打造这个品牌，如今已经家喻户晓。 The company spent ten years building this brand, and now it's a household name.
3. 消费者越来越注重品牌背后的价值观和社会责任。 Consumers are paying more attention to the values and social responsibility behind brands.

Usage Guide

Context: business, marketing, consumer

Tone: commercial

Do Say

• 这是什么品牌？(What brand is this?)
• 品牌很重要。(Brand matters.)

Don't Say

• 把品牌和商标完全等同 (品牌 includes reputation and identity; 商标 is the legal trademark)

Origin & History

Compound of 品 (product/quality) + 牌 (sign/plate). A sign representing product quality.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal