noun HSK 5
Traditional 書籍
shū
books · written works · publications

Meaning

书籍 is a formal term for books or written works, typically used in written or formal contexts. It refers to books as cultural products or collections of knowledge, rather than individual physical copies. The word emphasizes the content and literary value more than the physical object.

Usage

This is a more formal and literary term than the everyday word 书 (shū). Native speakers use 书籍 in academic writing, libraries, formal announcements, and when discussing books as a category of cultural products. In casual conversation, people typically just say 书. It's commonly seen in contexts like library signs, publishing industry discussions, or formal recommendations.

Examples

  1. 01
    图书馆收藏了大量珍贵的古代书籍
    shū guǎn shōu cáng le liàng zhēn guì de dài shū .
    The library houses a large collection of precious ancient books.
  2. 02
    这家出版社专门出版儿童教育类书籍
    Zhè jiā chū bǎn shè zhuān mén chū bǎn ér tóng jiào lèi shū .
    This publishing house specializes in children's educational books.

Characters

Measure words

  • běn一本书籍
  • 几册书籍
  • tào一套书籍

Common collocations

  • 书籍出版
    shū chū bǎn
    book publishing
  • 阅读书籍
    yuè shū
    to read books
  • 书籍馆藏
    shū guǎn cáng
    book collection (in library)
  • 古代书籍
    dài shū
    ancient books

Origin

The character 籍 originally referred to official registers or records kept on bamboo strips. Combined with 书, it creates a formal compound emphasizing books as recorded knowledge.

Related