牌子

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páizi: 牌子 - Sign, Tag, Plate, Brand

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: páizi, 牌子, Chinese brand, Chinese sign, what is paizi, paizi meaning, brand in Chinese, sign in Chinese, placard, tag, brand name, make, Chinese consumer culture.
  • Summary: Learn the versatile and essential Chinese word 牌子 (páizi), which covers everything from a simple “sign” or “price tag” to the powerful modern concept of a “brand” or “make.” This comprehensive guide explains the dual meaning of 牌子, its cultural significance in China's brand-conscious society, and how to use it correctly in everyday conversation, whether you're asking for a price or discussing famous brands like Apple or Huawei.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): páizi
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 3
  • Concise Definition: A physical sign, plate, or tag; or a commercial brand or make of a product.
  • In a Nutshell: At its heart, `牌子` refers to a flat object with information on it—think of a door number plate, a sign on a wall, or a tag on a shirt. From this literal meaning, it logically extends to its most common modern usage: the “brand” name written on that tag. So, `牌子` is the go-to word in daily life when asking “What brand is this?”

Character Breakdown

  • 牌 (pái): The core of the word. The left part, `片 (piàn)`, means “a flat, thin piece” or “a slice,” which visually suggests a board, tablet, or placard. The right part is a phonetic component. So, `牌` itself means a tablet, plate, or sign.
  • 子 (zi): A very common and neutral-toned noun suffix in Chinese. It doesn't carry much meaning on its own but is attached to single-character concepts to form a more colloquial, two-syllable word. Think of it like the “-let” in “booklet” or “-y” in “doggy.”
  • Together: `牌子 (páizi)` literally translates to “a small sign/plate.” This simple, physical meaning is the foundation for its more abstract and far more common meaning of “brand”—the name that identifies a product, which you'd typically find on its `牌子`.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • While `牌子` may seem like a simple vocabulary word, it's deeply connected to modern China's rapid economic development and consumer culture. In just a few decades, China has shifted from a society with few product choices to a hyper-competitive, brand-conscious market.
  • The concept of a `老牌子 (lǎo páizi)`, an “old brand,” is highly valued. It signifies trust, quality, and reliability built over generations, like White Rabbit candy or Tsingtao beer. These brands evoke a sense of nostalgia and national pride.
  • Comparison to Western Culture: The obsession with `名牌 (míngpái)` (famous brands) in China is similar to the Western focus on “designer labels.” However, in China, it's often more directly and explicitly tied to the concept of `面子 (miànzi)` or “face” (social prestige). Owning and displaying products from a well-known `牌子` is a clear and direct way to signal social status, success, and taste. It's not just about quality; it's about public perception.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • `牌子` is an extremely common word used in two main contexts.
  • 1. A Physical Object: Sign, Tag, Plate
    • This is the literal meaning. It's used for smaller, specific information-bearing objects.
    • Examples: `门牌子 (mén páizi)` - door number plate, `价格牌子 (jiàgé páizi)` - price tag, `车牌子 (chē páizi)` - license plate (though `车牌` is more common).
    • It's generally neutral and descriptive in this context.
  • 2. A Commercial Brand or Make
    • This is the most frequent usage in modern conversation. It's the standard, everyday word for “brand.”
    • You use it to ask what brand something is, to state your preference for a certain brand, or to describe a brand's reputation.
    • Positive Connotation: `名牌子 (míng páizi)` or just `名牌 (míngpái)` means a famous, high-quality brand. `老牌子 (lǎo páizi)` means a trusted, old brand.
    • Negative Connotation: `杂牌子 (zá páizi)` or `杂牌 (zápái)` means a cheap, no-name, or low-quality brand.

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 你用的是什么牌子的手机？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ yòng de shì shénme páizi de shǒujī?
    • English: What brand of mobile phone do you use?
    • Analysis: This is the most classic and common usage of `牌子`. It's a simple, direct question about a product's make.
  • Example 2:
    • 这件衣服的牌子我没见过，是新出的吗？
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiàn yīfu de páizi wǒ méi jiànguò, shì xīn chū de ma?
    • English: I haven't seen this clothing brand before, is it new?
    • Analysis: Here, `牌子` clearly means “brand.” The speaker is identifying the product by its brand name.
  • Example 3:
    • 我妈妈只相信老牌子，她说质量有保证。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ māma zhǐ xiāngxìn lǎo páizi, tā shuō zhìliàng yǒu bǎozhèng.
    • English: My mom only trusts old brands; she says the quality is guaranteed.
    • Analysis: This example introduces `老牌子 (lǎo páizi)`, a culturally significant term for a time-honored, reliable brand.
  • Example 4:
    • 虽然不是名牌子，但是这个牌子的性价比很高。
    • Pinyin: Suīrán bùshì míngpáizi, dànshì zhège páizi de xìngjiàbǐ hěn gāo.
    • English: Although it's not a famous brand, this brand's cost-performance ratio is very high.
    • Analysis: This sentence cleverly uses `牌子` twice, contrasting a “famous brand” (`名牌子`) with “this brand” in general.
  • Example 5:
    • 他很有钱，穿的、用的都是名牌子。
    • Pinyin: Tā hěn yǒu qián, chuān de, yòng de dōu shì míngpáizi.
    • English: He's very rich; everything he wears and uses is a famous brand.
    • Analysis: `名牌子` (often shortened to `名牌`) is used here to denote luxury or designer goods, linking wealth to brand consumption.
  • Example 6:
    • 这种电器最好别买杂牌子的，容易坏。
    • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng diànqì zuì hǎo bié mǎi zápáizi de, róngyì huài.
    • English: It's best not to buy a no-name brand for this kind of appliance; they break easily.
    • Analysis: Shows the negative side with `杂牌子 (zá páizi)`, referring to a cheap, unreliable, or knock-off brand.
  • Example 7:
    • 请问，这个牌子上写的是什么？
    • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, zhège páizi shàng xiě de shì shénme?
    • English: Excuse me, what is written on this sign?
    • Analysis: This demonstrates the literal meaning of `牌子` as a physical sign or placard. The context makes it clear it's not about a commercial brand.
  • Example 8:
    • 我们的目标是打造一个世界知名的中国牌子。
    • Pinyin: Wǒmen de mùbiāo shì dǎzào yīgè shìjiè zhīmíng de Zhōngguó páizi.
    • English: Our goal is to build a world-famous Chinese brand.
    • Analysis: Here, `牌子` is used in a business context about creating or “building a brand.”
  • Example 9:
    • 你看，门上的牌子写着“302”。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn, mén shàng de páizi xiězhe “sān líng èr”.
    • English: Look, the plate on the door says “302”.
    • Analysis: Another clear example of the literal meaning, referring to a `门牌子 (mén páizi)` or door number plate.
  • Example 10:
    • 我不怎么在乎牌子，只要东西好用就行。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ bù zěmme zàihū páizi, zhǐyào dōngxi hǎoyòng jiù xíng.
    • English: I don't really care about the brand, as long as the product is good to use.
    • Analysis: A common sentiment expressing indifference to brand names, showing how `牌子` is the default word for this concept.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • `牌子 (páizi)` vs. `品牌 (pǐnpái)`: This is the most critical nuance for learners.
    • `牌子 (páizi)`: Is colloquial and refers to the “make” or the brand name itself. It's what you use in daily conversation. “What brand is your car?” → “你的车是什么牌子的？”
    • `品牌 (pǐnpái)`: Is more formal and abstract, used in business, marketing, and advertising. It refers to the “brand” as a complete concept, including its identity, image, and value. “We need to build our brand equity.” → “我们需要建立我们的品牌价值。”
    • Mistake: Using `牌子` in a formal business report or presentation would sound too casual. Using `品牌` when asking a friend what brand of snack they're eating would sound overly formal and stiff.
  • Not for All Signs: While `牌子` means “sign,” it's not a catch-all term.
    • For a large shop sign, you should use `招牌 (zhāopai)`.
    • For a road sign or traffic sign, use `路标 (lùbiāo)`.
    • Mistake: Pointing to a huge billboard and calling it a `牌子` would be incorrect. `牌子` implies a smaller tag, plate, or placard.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 品牌 (pǐnpái) - The formal, business-oriented word for “brand.” Refers to the brand as a corporate asset and identity.
  • 名牌 (míngpái) - A famous brand, a designer label. A compound of “name” + “brand.”
  • 老字号 (lǎo zìhào) - A “time-honored brand,” usually for traditional stores, restaurants, or products with a long history and cultural significance.
  • 杂牌 (zápái) - A “miscellaneous brand”; a pejorative term for a no-name, generic, or low-quality brand.
  • 招牌 (zhāopai) - A shop's signboard. Figuratively, it can also mean a company's signature product or a person's claim to fame (e.g., `招牌菜` - signature dish).
  • 商标 (shāngbiāo) - A trademark or logo. This is the legally registered symbol or name of a brand.
  • 车牌 (chēpái) - A vehicle license plate. The more common and slightly more formal term than `车牌子`.
  • 门牌 (ménpái) - A door number plate. The more concise version of `门牌子`.
  • 面子 (miànzi) - “Face” or social prestige. The desire for `面子` is a major driver behind the consumption of `名牌` (famous brands) in China.