写字楼

• Pinyin: xiě zì lóu
• Hanzi breakdown: 写 = 冖 (cover) + 与 (give), meaning to write; 字 = 宀 (roof) + 子 (child), meaning character; 楼 = 木 (wood) + 娄 (phonetic), meaning building with floors

Meaning

Office building. A building used primarily for commercial offices.

The standard mainland Chinese term for office buildings, especially modern high-rises in business districts. Distinguishes commercial office space from residential buildings (住宅楼) or mixed-use buildings. Common in real estate and business contexts.

Examples

1. 这栋写字楼位于市中心，租金非常贵。 This office building is located in the city center and the rent is very expensive.
2. 很多互联网公司都把办公室搬到了新建的写字楼里。 Many internet companies have moved their offices to newly built office buildings.
3. 她每天在写字楼里工作十个小时，压力很大。 She works ten hours a day in an office building and is under a lot of pressure.

Usage Guide

Context: real estate, business, urban

Tone: informative

Do Say

• 公司在哪栋写字楼？(Which office building is the company in?)
• 这是甲级写字楼。(This is a Grade A office building.)

Don't Say

• 我住在写字楼 — 写字楼是办公用的，住宅应该说'住宅楼'或'公寓'

Origin & History

Compound of 写字 (to write characters, meaning office work) + 楼 (building). Reflects the traditional view of office work as writing/clerical work.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal