清单

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qīngdān: 清单 - List, Inventory

Quick Summary

  • Keywords: qingdan Chinese, 清单 meaning, list in Chinese, inventory in Chinese, Chinese shopping list, packing list, detailed list, checklist in Chinese, to-do list, 清单 vs 列表
  • Summary: Learn how to use 清单 (qīngdān), the essential Chinese word for a detailed “list” or “inventory.” This page breaks down its meaning, from a simple shopping list (购物清单) to a formal shipping list. Discover how it differs from the more general word `列表 (lièbiǎo)` and see practical examples for travel, work, and daily life in China, making it a crucial vocabulary word for any beginner.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): qīngdān
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 4
  • Concise Definition: A detailed and itemized list of things; an inventory.
  • In a Nutshell: While the simple English word “list” can be a bit vague, 清单 (qīngdān) carries a sense of clarity, detail, and completeness. Think of it not just as a random collection of items, but as an organized, itemized record. It's the kind of list you use to check things off, account for everything, and make sure nothing is missing—whether it's groceries, items in a suitcase, or tasks for a project.

Character Breakdown

  • 清 (qīng): The primary meaning of this character is “clear,” “distinct,” or “clean.” It suggests that everything is easy to see and understand, with no ambiguity.
  • 单 (dān): This character means “list,” “sheet,” or “bill.” It often refers to a single piece of paper containing itemized information.
  • The two characters combine to mean a “clear list.” This perfectly captures the essence of 清单: a list where every single item is clearly and separately accounted for.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • In Chinese culture, particularly in business, logistics, and bureaucracy, there is a high value placed on clarity and avoiding ambiguity. A 清单 (qīngdān) is a tool for achieving this. It serves as a formal or semi-formal record that all parties can agree on, minimizing misunderstandings and disputes.
  • Comparison to “List” in English: The English word “list” is extremely broad. You can have a “list of ideas” or a “list of friends.” The Chinese equivalent for these might be different words (like `列表` or `名单`). 清单 (qīngdān) is more specific. While an American might scribble “milk, bread, eggs” on a scrap of paper and call it a “shopping list,” using the word 清单 implies a more deliberate, itemized account. It's the difference between a rough draft and a final, checked document. This reflects a cultural preference for thoroughness in transactions and tasks.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • 清单 (qīngdān) is a very practical and common word used in various everyday and professional contexts. Its connotation is generally neutral and leans towards being slightly formal.
  • Daily Life:
    • 购物清单 (gòuwù qīngdān): Shopping list.
    • 行李清单 (xínglǐ qīngdān): Packing list for travel.
    • 愿望清单 (yuànwàng qīngdān): Wish list.
    • 送礼清单 (sònglǐ qīngdān): A list of gifts received or given, often for weddings or other big events.
  • Work and Business:
    • 任务清单 (rènwù qīngdān): To-do list or task list.
    • 货物清单 (huòwù qīngdān): A list of goods, an inventory list, or a cargo manifest.
    • 发货清单 (fāhuò qīngdān): A shipping list that accompanies a package.
  • Bureaucracy:
  • 材料清单 (cáiliào qīngdān): A list of required documents for an application (e.g., for a visa or a license).
  • Negative Contexts:
  • 黑名单 (hēimíngdān): Blacklist. (Note: this compound uses `名单`, but is conceptually related to creating a definitive list).

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 出发去超市前，我写了一张购物清单。
    • Pinyin: Chūfā qù chāoshì qián, wǒ xiěle yī zhāng gòuwù qīngdān.
    • English: Before heading to the supermarket, I wrote a shopping list.
    • Analysis: A classic, everyday use. `一张 (yī zhāng)` is the correct measure word for a list on a sheet of paper.
  • Example 2:
    • 请根据这份清单检查一下行李，确保我们没有忘记任何东西。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng gēnjù zhè fèn qīngdān jiǎnchá yīxià xínglǐ, quèbǎo wǒmen méiyǒu wàngjì rènhé dōngxi.
    • English: Please check the luggage against this list to ensure we haven't forgotten anything.
    • Analysis: This highlights the “checking” function of a 清单. The measure word `份 (fèn)` is also common for documents or sets of items.
  • Example 3:
    • 老板给我发了本周的任务清单，看起来有很多工作要做。
    • Pinyin: Lǎobǎn gěi wǒ fāle běn zhōu de rènwù qīngdān, kàn qǐlái yǒu hěnduō gōngzuò yào zuò.
    • English: My boss sent me the task list for this week; it looks like there's a lot of work to do.
    • Analysis: Shows its use in a professional context for a to-do list.
  • Example 4:
    • 仓库管理员正在核对货物清单。
    • Pinyin: Cāngkù guǎnlǐyuán zhèngzài héduì huòwù qīngdān.
    • English: The warehouse manager is checking the inventory list.
    • Analysis: A formal business use. `核对 (héduì)` means “to check” or “to verify,” a verb often paired with 清单.
  • Example 5:
    • 申请签证需要提交一份详细的材料清单。
    • Pinyin: Shēnqǐng qiānzhèng xūyào tíjiāo yī fèn xiángxì de cáiliào qīngdān.
    • English: To apply for a visa, you need to submit a list of detailed materials.
    • Analysis: This is a typical bureaucratic use. The list is official and must be complete.
  • Example 6:
    • 包裹里附有一张发货清单，你可以看看东西对不对。
    • Pinyin: Bāoguǒ lǐ fù yǒu yī zhāng fāhuò qīngdān, nǐ kěyǐ kànkan dōngxi duì bùduì.
    • English: There is a shipping list included in the package, you can see if the items are correct.
    • Analysis: Common in e-commerce and logistics. It's the paper that tells you what *should* be in the box.
  • Example 7:
    • 这家公司因为不遵守规定而被列入了政府的黑清单。
    • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yīnwèi bù zūnshǒu guīdìng ér bèi lièrùle zhèngfǔ de hēiqīngdān.
    • English: This company was put on the government's blacklist for not complying with regulations.
    • Analysis: While `黑名单 (hēimíngdān)` is the more common term for “blacklist,” `黑清单` can also be used to emphasize a list of banned items or entities. This shows the flexibility of the word.
  • Example 8:
    • 我把今年想读的书都加到了我的愿望清单里。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ jīnnián xiǎng dú de shū dōu jiā dàole wǒ de yuànwàng qīngdān lǐ.
    • English: I added all the books I want to read this year to my wish list.
    • Analysis: A modern, informal usage popularized by online shopping and goal setting.
  • Example 9:
    • 婚礼结束后，我们要整理一份送礼清单来感谢宾客。
    • Pinyin: Hūnlǐ jiéshù hòu, wǒmen yào zhěnglǐ yī fèn sònglǐ qīngdān lái gǎnxiè bīnkè.
    • English: After the wedding, we need to organize a gift list to thank the guests.
    • Analysis: A cultural practice where keeping a detailed record (`清单`) is important for social obligations.
  • Example 10:
    • 这是我们点的菜的清单，麻烦你确认一下。
    • Pinyin: Zhè shì wǒmen diǎn de cài de qīngdān, máfan nǐ quèrèn yīxià.
    • English: This is the list of dishes we ordered, could I trouble you to confirm it?
    • Analysis: This is different from a `菜单 (càidān - menu)` or a `账单 (zhàngdān - bill)`. This is a list for verification *before* payment, ensuring the order is correct.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 清单 (qīngdān) vs. 列表 (lièbiǎo): This is the most common point of confusion.
    • 清单 (qīngdān): An itemized list for checking, accounting, or fulfilling. It's concrete. Think: shopping list, packing list, inventory.
    • 列表 (lièbiǎo): A more abstract or general list; a simple display of items. Think: a dropdown list on a website (`下拉列表`), a list of search results, a bullet-point list.
    • Incorrect: ~~“请点击这个清单来选择你的国家。”~~ (Please click this list to choose your country.)
    • Correct: “请点击这个列表来选择你的国家。” (Here, “list” refers to a UI element, so `列表` is correct.)
  • 清单 (qīngdān) vs. 菜单 (càidān):
    • A `菜单 (càidān)` is exclusively a food menu. Never call a menu a `清单`. A `清单` could be a list of ingredients you need to *buy* for a recipe on the menu.
  • 清单 (qīngdān) vs. 账单 (zhàngdān):
    • A 清单 (qīngdān) is a list of items. A 账单 (zhàngdān) is a bill—a list of items with prices for the purpose of payment. A shipping `清单` tells you what's in the box; the `账单` tells you how much you owe for it.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 列表 (lièbiǎo) - A general term for “list,” often used for on-screen lists or simple enumerations. Less formal and detailed than `清单`.
  • 目录 (mùlù) - A table of contents, a directory, or a catalog. A list used for navigation.
  • 菜单 (càidān) - A food menu.
  • 账单 (zhàngdān) - A bill or an invoice; a list focused on cost and payment.
  • 名单 (míngdān) - A name list, such as a list of attendees, members, or candidates.
  • 发票 (fāpiào) - An official invoice or receipt, primarily used for accounting and tax purposes in China.
  • 清点 (qīngdiǎn) - (Verb) To check, to count, to take inventory. The action that you perform using a `清单`.
  • 购物清单 (gòuwù qīngdān) - A common compound word for “shopping list.”
  • 任务清单 (rènwù qīngdān) - A common compound word for “task list” or “to-do list.”
  • 黑名单 (hēimíngdān) - The standard word for “blacklist.”