Chapter 2 / Part 4

东西 dōngxi Objects

First, let's take a look at the characters 物 wù and 品 pǐn. 物 wù and 品 pǐn are nouns.

We use them in the following compounds:

• 食物 shíwù (eating-objects: food)
• 食品 shípǐn (eating-items: food)
• 物品 wùpǐn (object-item: things, objects)
• 動物 dòngwù (movable-objects: animals)
• 植物 zhíwù (plant-object: vegetation)
• 古物 gǔwù (ancient-object: historical relic)
• 礼物 lǐwù (ritual-object: gifts)
• 礼品 lǐpǐn (ritual-item: gifts)

In general, the compound words with 物 wù are spoken, whereas the words with 品 pǐn are more formal.

Among these shūmiànyǔ words for 东西 dōngxi, 品 pǐn is the most interesting one

It can be used as a noun and a verb.

As indicated above, used as a noun, 品 pǐn can be used in the following words: 食品 shípǐn (food), 礼品 lǐpǐn (gift).

When you go shopping, do you take into consideration that product's brand? In Chinese the word for brand is 品牌 pǐnpái (class-brand: brand name).

品 pǐn also means 'class or rank.' 上品 shàngpǐn (top-class: highest quality), 次品 cìpǐn (second-class: secondary quality), 高级品 gāojípǐn (high-class-object), 不良品 bùliángpǐn (no-good-item: defected items）. In ancient China, an official was ranked from 一品 yīpǐn to 七品 qīpǐn.

What name will you use for a food company or food store? The answer is: 食品公司 shípǐn gōngsi and 食品店 shípǐn diàn. A gift shop will be a 礼品店 lǐpǐn diàn.

品 Pǐn can be used in its figurative sense, a person's conduct is 人品 rénpǐn (character, conduct). For a person who has a good artistic taste in clothing or living, we say 他很有品味 Tā hěn yǒu pǐnwèi.

品 Pǐn is also used as a verb meaning to appreciate. For example, a wine connoisseur knows how to 品酒 pǐnjiǔ (to taste and enjoy wine). Good food requires you to 品尝 pǐncháng (to taste). To scruitinize a person's appearance, you have to 品头论足 pǐntóulùnzǔ (evaluate-head-discuss-foot: to evalute from head to foot).

具 jù (tools) can be used to form the following words, among others:
玩具 wánjù (play-tool: toys)
用具 yòngjù (usage-tool: tools)
器具 qìjù (tool-tool: tools)
工具 gōngjù, (labor-tool: working tools)
道具 dàojù, (way-tools: props)

If a store sign indicates the following words: 文具用品 wénjù yòngpǐn, what do you think this store sells? 文具 Wénjù means language-tools and 用品 yòngpǐn means use-items. 文具用品 wénjù yòngpǐn means supplies for stationary and writing tools.

东西 dōngxi, things

物 wù, objects 物品 wùpǐn, goods 食物 shíwù, food 动物 dòngwù, animal 植物 zhíwù, plant 古物 gǔwù, antique 礼物 lǐwù, present 具 jù, tools 玩具 wánjù, toy 用具 yòngjù, utensil 器具 qìjù ware 工具 gōngjù tool 道具 dàojù prop 文具 wénjù stationery 文具用品 wénjù yòngpǐn stationery 品 pǐn, product; grade; taste 物品 wùpǐn, goods 食品 shípǐn, food 食品店 shípǐndiàn, food store 礼品 lǐpǐn, present 礼品店 lǐpǐndiàn gift store 用品 yòngpǐn product 品牌 pǐnpái brand 上品 shàngpǐn top quality 次品 cìpǐn substandard 高级品 gāójípǐn high-class product 不良品 bùliángpǐn product with defect 人品 rénpǐn conduct 品味 pǐnwèi taste (noun) 品酒 pǐnjiǔ taste wine 品尝 pǐncháng taste (verb) 品头论足 nitpicking 器 qì utensil 武器 wǔqì weapon 器皿 qìmǐn household utensil