出版社

• Pinyin: chū bǎn shè
• Hanzi breakdown: 出 = to go out; 版 = 片 + 反 = printing plate; 社 = 礻 + 土 = organization

Meaning

Publishing house; publisher; publishing company.

Institution that publishes books, magazines, or other printed materials. In China, many are state-owned with specific focus areas. Important in academic and literary circles.

Examples

1. 这本书是人民文学出版社出版的。 This book is published by People's Literature Publishing House.
2. 她把手稿投给了好几家出版社。 She submitted her manuscript to several publishers.
3. 大学出版社主要出版学术著作。 University presses mainly publish academic works.

Usage Guide

Context: publishing, books, academics

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 商务印书馆是中国最早的现代出版社之一。(Commercial Press is one of China's earliest modern publishing houses.)
• 这家出版社专门出版儿童读物。(This publisher specializes in children's books.)

Don't Say

• 我在出版社工作出书 (Redundant — just say 我在出版社工作)

Origin & History

Compound of 出版 (to publish) and 社 (organization/company). 出版 literally means 'come out in print.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal