马桶

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马桶 [2025/08/13 08:53] – created xiaoer马桶 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1
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-====== mǎtǒng: 马桶 - Toilet, Commode ====== +
-===== Quick Summary ===== +
-  * **Keywords:** 马桶, mǎtǒng, Chinese for toilet, toilet in Chinese, how to say toilet in China, bathroom vocabulary Chinese, 马桶 vs 厕所, squat toilet China, western toilet China, 冲水马桶, flush toilet, toilet fixture +
-  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese word **马桶 (mǎtǒng)**, the term for the physical toilet fixture. This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance, and crucial practical usage. Discover why you ask for the **厕所 (cèsuǒ)** (restroom) but complain about a broken **马桶 (mǎtǒng)**, and explore the modern shift from squat toilets to Western-style sitting toilets in China. This guide provides everything a beginner needs to understand this fundamental piece of daily vocabulary. +
-===== Core Meaning ===== +
-  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** mǎtǒng +
-  * **Part of Speech:** Noun +
-  * **HSK Level:** HSK 3 +
-  * **Concise Definition:** A toilet; the physical ceramic bowl and tank fixture. +
-  * **In a Nutshell:** **马桶 (mǎtǒng)** is the direct and most common word for the physical toilet you use. It's not a euphemism and it's not the room—it is the object itself. Think of it as the specific appliance, just like a "sink" or a "stove". While in English you might say "I need to use the toilet," in Chinese, you would say you need to use the "restroom" (**厕所, cèsuǒ**), which contains the **马桶 (mǎtǒng)**. +
-===== Character Breakdown ===== +
-  * **马 (mǎ):** This character means "horse". Its inclusion here is historical. An ancient term for a portable urinal or chamber pot was **马子 (mǎzi)**. The "horse" association might have come from the posture of straddling or "riding" the device. +
-  * **桶 (tǒng):** This character means "bucket" or "pail". It's composed of the wood radical **木 (mù)** on the left and a phonetic component **甬 (yǒng)** on the right. This part of the word is quite literal, as early commodes were essentially buckets. +
-  * Together, **马桶 (mǎtǒng)** literally translates to "horse bucket". While this sounds strange today, it's a linguistic fossil pointing back to the chamber pots and early commodes that were the ancestors of the modern flush toilet. +
-===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== +
-The **马桶 (mǎtǒng)**, or sitting toilet, is more than just a piece of plumbing in China; it's a symbol of modernization and changing living standards. +
-For decades, the **蹲便器 (dūnbiànqì)**, or squat toilet, was the norm in most homes and public facilities. It is still extremely common, especially in rural areas, older buildings, and public transit stations. Many people who grew up with them consider them more hygienic, as there is no direct skin contact with the seat. +
-However, with China's economic boom, the Western-style **马桶 (mǎtǒng)** has become a standard feature in new apartments, hotels, and upscale public venues. Its presence often signals a certain level of development, comfort, and international alignment. This creates a cultural divide: +
-  * **马桶 (mǎtǒng):** Associated with modern city life, comfort, the elderly or those with mobility issues, and international hotels/businesses. +
-  * **蹲便器 (dūnbiànqì):** Associated with tradition, public hygiene (for some), and less developed areas. +
-This duality is something every traveler and resident in China encounters. Understanding the distinction between these two types of toilets and the vocabulary for them is a practical and cultural necessity. +
-===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== +
-The most critical rule for a learner is to differentiate the object from the place. +
-  * **Referring to the Fixture:** You use **马桶 (mǎtǒng)** when talking about the object itself, especially when buying, repairing, or cleaning it. +
-    * "My toilet is clogged." (我家**马桶**堵了。) +
-    * "We need to buy a new toilet." (我们要买一个新**马桶**。) +
-  * **Asking for the Restroom:** You **never** ask "Where is the **马桶 (mǎtǒng)**?". This would be like asking "Where is the toilet bowl?". It's awkward and overly specific. Instead, you ask for the room. +
-    * **Correct:** 请问，**厕所**在哪里？ (Qǐngwèn, **cèsuǒ** zài nǎlǐ?) - Excuse me, where is the restroom? +
-    * **Also Correct (Slightly more formal):** 请问，**卫生间**在哪里？ (Qǐngwèn, **wèishēngjiān** zài nǎlǐ?) - Excuse me, where is the washroom? +
-  * **Modern Variations:** In conversations about home renovation or technology, you might encounter **智能马桶 (zhìnéng mǎtǒng)**, the "smart toilet," which often includes bidet functions, heated seats, and automatic lids. These are increasingly popular in middle-class Chinese homes. +
-===== Example Sentences ===== +
-  * **Example 1:** +
-    * 我家的**马桶**堵了，得找个水管工来修。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒ jiā de **mǎtǒng** dǔ le, děi zhǎo ge shuǐguǎngōng lái xiū. +
-    * English: My home's toilet is clogged, I need to find a plumber to fix it. +
-    * Analysis: A very common, practical sentence. **堵了 (dǔ le)** is the key verb for "is clogged". +
-  * **Example 2:** +
-    * 这个商场的新**马桶**是智能的，有加热功能。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè ge shāngchǎng de xīn **mǎtǒng** shì zhìnéng de, yǒu jiārè gōngnéng. +
-    * English: This mall's new toilets are smart; they have a heating function. +
-    * Analysis: This shows the use of **马桶** in a modern context, referencing a **智能 (zhìnéng)** or "smart" device. +
-  * **Example 3:** +
-    * 宝宝太小了，还不会用大人的**马桶**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Bǎobao tài xiǎo le, hái bú huì yòng dàren de **mǎtǒng**. +
-    * English: The baby is too small, he still can't use the adult toilet. +
-    * Analysis: A simple, everyday sentence used in a family context. +
-  * **Example 4:** +
-    * 请不要把纸巾扔进**马桶**里。 +
-    * Pinyin: Qǐng bú yào bǎ zhǐjīn rēng jìn **mǎtǒng** li. +
-    * English: Please do not throw paper towels into the toilet. +
-    * Analysis: This is a common sign found in Chinese restrooms. The **把 (bǎ)** structure is used to emphasize what happens to the object (the paper towels). +
-  * **Example 5:** +
-    * 冲**马桶**的时候记得盖上盖子。 +
-    * Pinyin: Chōng **mǎtǒng** de shíhou jìde gàishang gàizi. +
-    * English: Remember to close the lid when you flush the toilet. +
-    * Analysis: **冲 (chōng)** means to flush. This sentence is a good example of giving instructions related to the toilet. +
-  * **Example 6:** +
-    * 你更习惯用**马桶**还是蹲便器？ +
-    * Pinyin: Nǐ gèng xíguàn yòng **mǎtǒng** háishì dūnbiànqì? +
-    * English: Are you more used to using a sitting toilet or a squat toilet? +
-    * Analysis: This sentence directly addresses the cultural choice between the two main types of toilets in China. +
-  * **Example 7:** +
-    * 我们正在装修房子，准备安装两个**马桶**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài zhuāngxiū fángzi, zhǔnbèi ānzhuāng liǎng ge **mǎtǒng**. +
-    * English: We are renovating our house and plan to install two toilets. +
-    * Analysis: **安装 (ānzhuāng)** is the verb for "to install". This is a typical sentence you'd use when discussing home improvement. +
-  * **Example 8:** +
-    * 这个酒店房间里的**马桶**非常干净。 +
-    * Pinyin: Zhè ge jiǔdiàn fángjiān lǐ de **mǎtǒng** fēicháng gānjìng. +
-    * English: The toilet in this hotel room is very clean. +
-    * Analysis: A straightforward descriptive sentence, useful for travelers. +
-  * **Example 9:** +
-    * 他不小心把手机掉进**马桶**里了。 +
-    * Pinyin: Tā bù xiǎoxīn bǎ shǒujī diào jìn **mǎtǒng** lǐ le. +
-    * English: He accidentally dropped his phone into the toilet. +
-    * Analysis: A common unfortunate event that clearly illustrates the use of **马桶** as a physical container. +
-  * **Example 10:** +
-    * 清洁工每天都会彻底消毒公共**马桶**。 +
-    * Pinyin: Qīngjiégōng měitiān dōu huì chèdǐ xiāodú gōnggòng **mǎtǒng**. +
-    * English: The cleaning staff thoroughly disinfects the public toilets every day. +
-    * Analysis: This shows the term being used in the context of public hygiene. **公共 (gōnggòng)** means "public". +
-===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== +
-  * **The Biggest Mistake: Confusing the Object with the Room** +
-    * English speakers often use "toilet" to refer to both the fixture and the room ("I'm going to the toilet."). This does not work in Chinese. **马桶 (mǎtǒng)** is //only// the fixture. +
-    * **Incorrect:** ~~请问，**马桶**在哪里？~~ (Qǐngwèn, **mǎtǒng** zài nǎlǐ?) +
-    * **Why it's wrong:** This literally means, "Excuse me, where is the toilet bowl?" It sounds very strange and a little crude, as if you're looking for a specific piece of hardware rather than a room to use. +
-    * **Correct:** 请问，**厕所**在哪里？ (Qǐngwèn, cèsuǒ zài nǎlǐ?) or 请问，**卫生间**在哪里？ (Qǐngwèn, wèishēngjiān zài nǎlǐ?) +
-  * **Formality and Alternatives** +
-    * While **马桶** is the standard term, in a technical or sales context (like at a hardware store), you might hear the more formal term **坐便器 (zuòbiànqì)**, which literally means "sitting-style toilet fixture". For a beginner, **马桶** is sufficient 99% of the time. +
-===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== +
-  * [[厕所]] (cèsuǒ) - The most common and neutral word for the "restroom" or "toilet room". This is the word you should use when asking for directions. +
-  * [[卫生间]] (wèishēngjiān) - "Washroom". Literally "hygiene room". A slightly more polite and modern term than `厕所`. Common in homes, restaurants, and hotels. +
-  * [[洗手间]] (xǐshǒujiān) - "Restroom" or "lavatory". Literally "hand-washing room". A very common and polite alternative to `厕所`. +
-  * [[蹲便器]] (dūnbiànqì) - "Squat toilet". The direct opposite of a `马桶`. It's important to know this word to understand which type of facility is available. +
-  * [[坐便器]] (zuòbiànqì) - "Sitting toilet". A more technical or formal synonym for `马桶`. +
-  * [[冲水]] (chōng shuǐ) - "To flush". A verb phrase meaning "to rinse with water". E.g., `别忘了冲水` (bié wàngle chōng shuǐ) - "Don't forget to flush". +
-  * [[堵了]] (dǔ le) - "Clogged" or "blocked". An essential status word to use with `马桶`. E.g., `马桶堵了` (mǎtǒng dǔ le). +
-  * [[智能马桶]] (zhìnéng mǎtǒng) - "Smart toilet". A modern fixture with electronic features, becoming a status symbol in new Chinese homes. +
-  * [[厕纸]] (cèzhǐ) - "Toilet paper". The paper you use in the `厕所`. Sometimes also called `卫生纸` (wèishēngzhǐ).+