Meanings of 招牌
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Podcast: 招牌
Podcast: 招牌
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AI study notes for 招牌
招牌 (zhāopái) vs 标牌 (biāopái) — use 招牌 when referring specifically to a shop sign or a signature quality, while 标牌 is more general and can refer to any type of sign or label.
Be careful not to confuse 招牌 with similar terms like 标志 (biāozhì), which means 'logo.' 招牌 is more informal and often used in everyday conversation, while 标志 might be used in more formal contexts. Remember that it can refer to the sign itself or the reputation of a business.
Although 招牌 is not an HSK vocabulary word, it combines familiar characters: 招 (to invite) and 牌 (card, plate). Students should focus on recognizing the characters and understanding how they can convey both tangible and intangible meanings.
Learners often confuse 招牌 with 招待 (zhāodài), which means 'to entertain' or 'to receive guests.' For example, saying '我有一个招牌' (I have a signboard) when they mean 'I can entertain guests' is incorrect; they should use 招待 instead.
Pronunciation of 招牌
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component characters
How to say signboard in Chinese
“signboard” in Chinese is招牌
招牌 (zhāopái) refers to a signboard or shop sign that displays the name of a business or establishment. It can also indicate the reputation or signature quality of a business, often used in contexts where a particular item or service is renowned.
When to use 招牌
Be careful not to confuse 招牌 with similar terms like 标志 (biāozhì), which means 'logo.' 招牌 is more informal and often used in everyday conversation, while 标志 might be used in more formal contexts. Remember that it can refer to the sign itself or the reputation of a business.
招牌 or something close to it
招牌 (zhāopái) vs 标牌 (biāopái) — use 招牌 when referring specifically to a shop sign or a signature quality, while 标牌 is more general and can refer to any type of sign or label.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 招牌 with 招待 (zhāodài), which means 'to entertain' or 'to receive guests.' For example, saying '我有一个招牌' (I have a signboard) when they mean 'I can entertain guests' is incorrect; they should use 招待 instead.
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Frequently asked questions about 招牌
It means both the physical signboard of a business and its reputation.
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