圆珠笔

• Pinyin: yuán zhū bǐ
• Hanzi breakdown: 圆 = 囗 + 员, meaning round; 珠 = 王 (jade) + 朱, meaning bead; 笔 = 竹 + 毛, meaning pen

Meaning

Ballpoint pen. A pen with a small rotating ball at the tip that dispenses ink.

The most common type of pen used today. Often shortened to 圆珠 in casual speech. Related terms: 钢笔 (fountain pen), 铅笔 (pencil), 签字笔 (signing pen), 中性笔 (gel pen). Can be disposable or refillable.

Examples

1. 考试只能用黑色圆珠笔或签字笔作答。 Exams can only be answered with black ballpoint pens or signing pens.
2. 我的圆珠笔没墨了，能借我一支吗？ My ballpoint pen is out of ink — can I borrow one from you?
3. 这支圆珠笔写起来很顺滑，书写体验特别好。 This ballpoint pen writes very smoothly — the writing experience is excellent.

Usage Guide

Context: school, office, everyday

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 你有圆珠笔吗？(Do you have a ballpoint pen?)
• 请用圆珠笔填写表格。(Please fill out the form with a ballpoint pen.)

Don't Say

• 圆珠笔钢笔 — 两者是不同类型的笔，不能混用，要分别说'圆珠笔'或'钢笔'

Origin & History

Compound of 圆珠 (round bead) + 笔 (pen). Named after the small ball at the tip that rolls to transfer ink.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal