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March 24, 2026
簿bù(bu4)
The character 簿 (bù) refers to a type of book or register, often used for keeping records, such as account books or notebooks. It is commonly used in contexts related to administration, finance, or personal note-taking, indicating its purpose of organizing information systematically.
Strokes19Radical⺮Frequency#9315DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, keeping meticulous records and accounts has historical significance due to the importance of trade and agriculture. Account books were essential for managing finances and ensuring transparency in transactions.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'book' (簿) made of bamboo (the radical '竹' suggests bamboo), where you jot down all your important accounts or notes. The 'b' sound in 'bamboo' can help you remember the pronunciation 'bù'.
Meanings of 簿
bù(bu4)
1register, notebook, account book
2a book
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 簿
簿Simplified
19Strokes
⺮Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 簿
Podcast: 簿
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AI Study Notes for 簿
Quick Contrast
账 (zhàng) — use 簿 (bù) for a general record book, while 账 (zhàng) specifically refers to accounts or financial statements.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'book' (簿) made of bamboo (the radical '竹' suggests bamboo), where you jot down all your important accounts or notes. The 'b' sound in 'bamboo' can help you remember the pronunciation 'bù'.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 簿 with the character 本 (běn), which also relates to books but has a different nuance. 簿 is more specific to registers and accounts, while 本 refers to the physical book itself. Be mindful of the tone; mispronouncing it as bǔ could lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
Though 簿 is not listed in the HSK levels, it can be connected to other key vocabulary in the realm of documentation and accounting. Students should focus on the context of usage and familiarize themselves with related terms like 账簿 (zhàngbù), meaning 'account book', to enhance their understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, keeping meticulous records and accounts has historical significance due to the importance of trade and agriculture. Account books were essential for managing finances and ensuring transparency in transactions.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 簿 incorrectly when they mean to refer to a general book, leading to phrases like 读一本簿 (dú yī běn bù - read a book) instead of 读一本书 (dú yī běn shū). Always prefer 书 for general books.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 簿
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Grammar Patterns of 簿
簿 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
这家报纸正和提起损害赔偿诉讼的女演员对____公堂。
The newspaper is fighting a damages action brought by the actress.
Example Sentences for 簿 (8)
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1
这家报纸正和提起损害赔偿诉讼的女演员对簿公堂。
zhè jiā bào zhǐ zhèng hé tí qǐ sǔn hài péi cháng sù sòng de nǚ yǎn yuán duì bù gōng táng。
The newspaper is fighting a damages action brought by the actress.
2
手边放一本便笺簿，以便有问题时随时记下。
shǒu biān fàng yī běn biàn jiān bù， ， yǐ biàn yǒu wèn tí shí suí shí jì。
Keep a pad handy to jot down queries as they occur.
3
他有一本剪贴簿,面有他的一些音乐会的剪报.
tā yǒu yī běn jiǎn tiē bù, , miàn yǒu tā de yī xiē yīn lè huì de jiǎn.
He kept a scrapbook containing press cuttings of his concerts.
Virgo wears a neatly - pressed suit and tells everyone they're a bookkeeper.
7
一天到晚,他尽在簿子上记些琐琐屑屑的事情.
yī tiān dào wǎn, , tā jìn zài bù zǐ shàng jì xiē suǒ suǒ xiè xiè de shì.
All day he wrote little facts upon the pad.
8
他拄着拐杖, 走得慢慢地, 挟着一本很大的剪贴簿.
tā zhǔ zháo guǎi zhàng, , zǒu dé màn màn, dì , xié zháo yī běn hěn dà de jiǎn.
He came slowly, on crutches, clutching a big scrapbook.
Cultural Notes for 簿
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, keeping meticulous records and accounts has historical significance due to the importance of trade and agriculture. Account books were essential for managing finances and ensuring transparency in transactions.
Word Family of 簿
Words Containing This Character13
簿bùa book
电话簿telephone directory電話簿
户口簿household register戶口簿
账簿a ledger賬簿
对簿公堂legal confrontation對簿公堂
支票簿checkbook (banking)
留言簿visitor's book
记事簿a memo book (recording events)記事簿
簿记bookkeeping簿記
簿子notebook
对簿to take sb to court對簿
拍纸簿writing pad拍紙簿
考勤簿attendance record book
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 簿 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 簿
Common phrases include 账簿 (zhàngbù - account book) and 笔记簿 (bǐjìbù - notebook).
While it may not come up in casual conversation, it is important in business and formal contexts.
You can think of 'bù' as similar to 'book', and remember it relates to writing things down.
