shuōmíngshū: 说明书 - Instruction Manual, User Guide

• Keywords: shuomingshu, shuōmíngshū, 说明书, Chinese instruction manual, user guide in Chinese, product manual, instructions, specifications sheet, how to read Chinese instructions, user guide, directions.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 说明书 (shuōmíngshū), which means “instruction manual” or “user guide.” This page breaks down the characters, provides cultural context, and offers numerous practical example sentences for how to use an instruction manual in China, whether you're assembling furniture, using a new electronic device, or taking medicine. Understand the difference between a 说明书 and a 手册 (shǒucè) (handbook) to use Chinese more accurately.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shuō míng shū
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A document, manual, or pamphlet that provides instructions, explanations, or specifications for a product or process.
• In a Nutshell: 说明书 (shuōmíngshū) is the word for that little booklet of instructions you get whenever you buy something new that requires assembly or has special features. From your new smartphone to an IKEA bookshelf or even a box of cold medicine, the document explaining how to use it is a 说明书. It's a highly practical and common word in daily life.

• 说 (shuō): To speak, to say, or to explain.
• 明 (míng): To make clear, to understand, or bright.
• 书 (shū): A book or a document.

When you combine them, 说明书 (shuōmíngshū) literally translates to an “explain-clear-book.” It's a document whose purpose is to explain something clearly to the user.

While “instruction manual” is a universal concept, the 说明书 (shuōmíngshū) holds a particularly important place in a manufacturing powerhouse like China. Products, both domestic and for export, are accompanied by a 说明书. A key cultural point is the detail often found in a 药品说明书 (yàopǐn shuōmíngshū), or medicine instruction leaflet. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and modern medicine alike place a strong emphasis on providing comprehensive information about ingredients, effects, side effects, and dosage. Learning to find the dosage information on a 说明书 is a critical life skill for any learner living in China. Compared to the English “manual,” 说明书 has a slightly broader application. While we might distinguish between “instructions,” a “brochure,” and a “spec sheet” in English, 说明书 can often cover all of these. For example, a leaflet from a bank explaining a new type of account could be called a 说明书 because it “explains” the service. The core concept is explanation, not just operational steps.

说明书 is a neutral, standard term used in both formal and informal contexts when referring to an instruction document.

• Assembling Products: When you buy furniture, electronics, or toys, you will always look for the 说明书.
• Using Appliances: For new kitchen appliances like rice cookers, air fryers, or coffee machines, the 说明书 contains crucial information on operation and cleaning.
• Medicine: This is a critical usage. The 药品说明书 (yàopǐn shuōmíngshū) is the information insert in a medicine box. You would consult it for dosage (用量 yòngliàng), side effects (副作用 fùzuòyòng), and contraindications.
• Digital Manuals: It's increasingly common for products to have a QR code (二维码 èrwéimǎ) on the packaging that links to a digital 说明书. You might hear someone say, “扫码看说明书 (sǎo mǎ kàn shuōmíngshū)” - “Scan the code to see the manual.”

• Example 1:
  • 我看不懂这本说明书，你能帮我组装这个书架吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ kàn bù dǒng zhè běn shuōmíngshū, nǐ néng bāng wǒ zǔzhuāng zhège shūjià ma?
  • English: I can't understand this instruction manual, can you help me assemble this bookshelf?
  • Analysis: A very common scenario. 看不懂 (kàn bù dǒng) means “to look but not understand,” a key phrase for learners.
• Example 2:
  • 在使用新手机之前，最好先仔细阅读说明书。
  • Pinyin: Zài shǐyòng xīn shǒujī zhīqián, zuìhǎo xiān zǐxì yuèdú shuōmíngshū.
  • English: Before using your new phone, it's best to first read the instruction manual carefully.
  • Analysis: 仔细 (zǐxì) means “carefully” or “meticulously,” emphasizing the importance of reading the manual.
• Example 3:
  • 我的药呢？我需要看一下说明书上的用量。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de yào ne? Wǒ xūyào kàn yīxià shuōmíngshū shàng de yòngliàng.
  • English: Where's my medicine? I need to check the dosage on the instruction leaflet.
  • Analysis: This shows the critical medical use of the term. 用量 (yòngliàng) is the specific word for “dosage.”
• Example 4:
  • 别把说明书扔了，我们以后可能还需要。
  • Pinyin: Bié bǎ shuōmíngshū rēng le, wǒmen yǐhòu kěnéng hái xūyào.
  • English: Don't throw the manual away, we might need it later.
  • Analysis: The 把 (bǎ) construction is used here to emphasize the action of throwing away the object (the manual).
• Example 5:
  • 这款相机的说明书太厚了，像一本书！
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xiàngjī de shuōmíngshū tài hòu le, xiàng yī běn shū!
  • English: The manual for this camera is so thick, it's like a book!
  • Analysis: 款 (kuǎn) is a measure word for models or styles of products. 厚 (hòu) means “thick.”
• Example 6:
  • 这个玩具的说明书只有一页，很简单。
  • Pinyin: Zhège wánjù de shuōmíngshū zhǐyǒu yī yè, hěn jiǎndān.
  • English: The instruction manual for this toy is only one page, it's very simple.
  • Analysis: Contrasts with the previous example, showing how to describe a simple manual. 页 (yè) is the measure word for “page.”
• Example 7:
  • 包装盒上有一个二维码，你可以扫码查看电子版说明书。
  • Pinyin: Bāozhuāng hé shàng yǒu yīgè èrwéimǎ, nǐ kěyǐ sǎo mǎ chákàn diànzǐ bǎn shuōmíngshū.
  • English: There is a QR code on the box, you can scan it to view the electronic version of the manual.
  • Analysis: Highlights modern usage. 电子版 (diànzǐ bǎn) means “electronic version.”
• Example 8:
  • 我把洗衣机说明书弄丢了，现在不知道怎么用烘干功能。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ xǐyījī shuōmíngshū nòng diū le, xiànzài bù zhīdào zěnme yòng hōnggān gōngnéng.
  • English: I lost the washing machine's manual, now I don't know how to use the drying function.
  • Analysis: 弄丢了 (nòng diū le) is a common colloquial way to say “lost something.” 功能 (gōngnéng) means “function” or “feature.”
• Example 9:
  • 这份文件是新员工入职说明书，请大家阅读。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn wénjiàn shì xīn yuángōng rùzhí shuōmíngshū, qǐng dàjiā yuèdú.
  • English: This document is the orientation guide for new employees, please everyone read it.
  • Analysis: Shows the broader use of 说明书 for a process, not just a physical product. Here it's closer to “guide” or “instructions.” 入职 (rùzhí) means “to start a new job.”
• Example 10:
  • 很抱歉，我们的产品没有英文说明书。
  • Pinyin: Hěn bàoqiàn, wǒmen de chǎnpǐn méiyǒu Yīngwén shuōmíngshū.
  • English: I'm sorry, our product doesn't have an English manual.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence for anyone shopping in China.

A common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing 说明书 from similar-sounding words for “instructions” or “manuals.”

• `说明书 (shuōmíngshū)` vs. `手册 (shǒucè)`:
  • 说明书 specifically explains how to use a product or a specific, narrow process. It's about operation and specifications. Think: “product manual.”
  • 手册 (shǒucè) means “handbook” and is much broader. It often refers to a comprehensive guide of rules, principles, or information. Think: 员工手册 (yuángōng shǒucè) - “employee handbook,” or 安全手册 (ānquán shǒucè) - “safety handbook.” You wouldn't call an employee handbook a 说明书.
• `说明书` vs. `指示 (zhǐshì)` (Instructions/Orders):
  • 说明书 is a noun that refers to the physical or digital document.
  • 指示 (zhǐshì) is a verbal or written command, directive, or instruction given by a person.
  • Incorrect: ~~老板给了我一个说明书去复印文件。~~ (My boss gave me an “instruction manual” to copy the files.)
  • Correct: 老板给了我一个指示去复印文件。 (My boss gave me an instruction/order to copy the files.)
  • You receive 指示 (zhǐshì) from a person; you read a 说明书 (shuōmíngshū) for a product.

• 手册 (shǒucè) - Handbook; a more comprehensive guide or rulebook (e.g., employee handbook).
• 指南 (zhǐnán) - Guide or guidebook; often used for travel (旅游指南 lǚyóu zhǐnán) or general topics.
• 指示 (zhǐshì) - A directive, order, or instruction from a person.
• 解释 (jiěshì) - (verb) To explain; this is the action that a 说明书 performs.
• 安装 (ānzhuāng) - (verb) To install; a common instruction found in a 说明书.
• 使用 (shǐyòng) - (verb) To use; a 说明书 explains how to use something.
• 产品 (chǎnpǐn) - Product; the item that a 说明书 usually accompanies.
• 规格 (guīgé) - Specifications; a key section within many 说明书.
• 操作 (cāozuò) - (verb) To operate; a 说明书 details the operation procedures (操作步骤 cāozuò bùzhòu).
• 警告 (jǐnggào) - Warning; an important notice often found in a 说明书.