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March 24, 2026
手表(手錶)shǒubiǎo(shou3biao3)
手表 (shǒubiǎo) refers to a wristwatch, a timekeeping device worn on the wrist. It is commonly used in everyday contexts to tell time, often seen as a fashion accessory as well. The nuance includes both practical uses, like checking the time, and stylistic choices in personal attire.
Strokes12Frequency#4003DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, wearing a wristwatch is not only practical but also a sign of punctuality and respect for others' time. High-quality or luxury watches are often given as gifts to signify status or appreciation.
Memory Tip
Imagine a hand (手, shǒu) holding a small clock (表, biǎo) on the wrist. The hand gripping the watch depicts the idea of wearing it, and the character for hand (手) sounds similar to 'show,' reminding you that it 'shows' time.
Meanings of 手表
shǒubiǎo(shou3biao3)
1wrist watch
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 手表
手表Simplified
手錶Traditional
12Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#4003Frequency Rank
块Measure Word
HSK 2.0L2HSK 3.0L2ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 手表
Podcast: 手表
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AI Study Notes for 手表
Quick Contrast
手表 (shǒubiǎo) vs 电子表 (diànzǐbiǎo) — use 手表 for traditional wristwatches, while 电子表 specifically refers to digital watches.
Usage Notes
Be careful with the measure word when using 手表; it is often paired with the word '块' (kuài) for informal contexts. In more formal situations, you could use '个' (gè). Avoid confusing it with related terms like '挂表' (guàbiǎo), which refers to wall clocks.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 2 word, 手表 connects to other everyday items and clothing vocabulary. Students should focus on pronunciation and the measure words commonly used with this term, as they are essential for constructing simple sentences.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget to use a measure word when referring to a watch, saying '我有手表' instead of '我有一块手表' (I have a wristwatch). Additionally, some might confuse it with 电子表 (diànzǐbiǎo), which specifically means 'digital watch.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 手表
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手表 (shǒubiǎo) refers to a wristwatch, a timekeeping device worn on the wrist. It is commonly used in everyday contexts to tell time, often seen as a fashion accessory as well. The nuance includes both practical uses, like checking the time, and stylistic choices in personal attire.
When to use 手表
Be careful with the measure word when using 手表; it is often paired with the word '块' (kuài) for informal contexts. In more formal situations, you could use '个' (gè). Avoid confusing it with related terms like '挂表' (guàbiǎo), which refers to wall clocks.
手表 or something close to it
手表 (shǒubiǎo) vs 电子表 (diànzǐbiǎo) — use 手表 for traditional wristwatches, while 电子表 specifically refers to digital watches.
What learners get wrong
Learners often forget to use a measure word when referring to a watch, saying '我有手表' instead of '我有一块手表' (I have a wristwatch). Additionally, some might confuse it with 电子表 (diànzǐbiǎo), which specifically means 'digital watch.'
Write 手表
手
表
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Grammar Patterns of 手表
手表 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). 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
他握着她的____示问候，关切地问她一切是否都好。
He took her hand in greeting and asked solicitously how everything was.
Example Sentences for 手表 (10)
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1
他握着她的手表示问候，关切地问她一切是否都好。
tā wò zháo tā de shǒu biǎo shì wèn hòu， ， guān qiē dì wèn tā yī qiē shì fǒu dū。
He took her hand in greeting and asked solicitously how everything was.
2
你能从他们那儿买到质量很好的仿制名牌手表。
nǐ néng cóng tā mén nà ér mǎi dào zhì liáng hěn hǎo de fǎng zhì míng pái shǒu biǎo。
