noun HSK 2
Traditional 書店
bookstore · bookshop
Meaning
书店 refers to a shop that sells books. It is a common everyday word that learners encounter early when discussing shopping, hobbies, or places in a city. The word combines 书 (book) and 店 (shop/store), making its meaning transparent and easy to remember.
Usage
This is a neutral, standard term used in all contexts. Chinese speakers commonly talk about going to bookstores to buy books, study, or browse. Major chains like 新华书店 (Xinhua Bookstore) are well-known throughout China. The word can refer to both physical bookstores and, in some contexts, online bookstores.
Examples
- 01我常常去那家书店看书。.I often go to that bookstore to read books.
- 02书店在银行旁边。.The bookstore is next to the bank.
Characters
Measure words
- 家一家书店
- 个三个书店
Common collocations
- 去书店go to the bookstore
- 在书店买书buy books at the bookstore
- 新华书店Xinhua Bookstore (major chain)
- 网上书店online bookstore
Origin
The compound is straightforward: 书 (book) + 店 (shop). This pattern of noun + 店 is productive in Chinese for naming types of stores.