酒铺 (jiǔ pū) — tavern; bar; pub

Definition

A small, traditional shop that sells alcohol (and often lets you drink on site). More old-fashioned and local than 酒吧 (a modern Western-style bar) and more drink-focused than 饭馆 (a restaurant).

noun
tavernbarpub
Measure word · 家

Examples

  • 酒铺。
    Tā měi tiān wǎn shàng dōu qù nà jiā jiǔ pū hē jiǔ.
    He goes to that tavern every night to drink.
  • 酒铺。
    Zhè jiā jiǔ pū kāi le sān shí nián le.
    This pub has been open for thirty years.
  • 酒铺。
    Wǒ men zài jiǔ pū lǐ liáo le yì wǎn shàng.
    We chatted in the bar all evening.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

酒jiǔwine
铺pùshop

酒 is wine or alcohol and 铺 is a shop, so the place sells drinks.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
水水shuǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
酉
酉yǒu酒jiǔ
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

酒 pairs 酉, the original picture for this word, with 水 (water), added later to distinguish it.

Open 酒 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 鋪; 铺 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīngold; metal
Sound part声符shēngfú
甫
甫fǔ鋪pū
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 鋪 pairs 金 (gold; metal) with 甫 as a sound part; the simplified 铺 is a shorthand.

Open 铺 →

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