wénjù: 文具 - Stationery

• Keywords: wénjù, wenju, 文具, Chinese stationery, school supplies in Chinese, office supplies in Chinese, what is wenju, writing tools Chinese, 文具店, Chinese pen, Chinese notebook
• Summary: 文具 (wénjù) is the essential Chinese word for “stationery,” encompassing a wide range of school and office supplies. From pens and paper to rulers and staplers, 文具 covers all the tools needed for writing, studying, and working. Understanding this term is crucial for students, professionals, or anyone looking to navigate daily life in China, where stationery is not just a utility but also a vibrant part of modern culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): wén jù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Stationery; writing materials; school or office supplies.
• In a Nutshell: 文具 (wénjù) is a broad, collective noun for all the small items you'd find in a pencil case, on a desk, or in a stationery store. Think of it as the general category for pens, pencils, notebooks, erasers, rulers, and more. It's a fundamental word for everyday tasks like shopping for school or requesting supplies at the office.

• 文 (wén): This character relates to “language,” “writing,” “culture,” or “literature.” It depicts a pattern or a figure, representing the elegance and complexity of written language and civilization.
• 具 (jù): This character means “tool,” “implement,” or “device.” It originally depicted hands holding a tripod vessel, signifying a piece of equipment.
• When combined, 文具 (wénjù) literally translates to “writing tools,” a perfectly clear and logical construction for the concept of “stationery.”

Historically, the tools of a scholar have been held in high esteem in Chinese culture, reflecting a deep respect for education and literature. This reverence is embodied in the classical concept of the 文房四宝 (wénfángsìbǎo) — the Four Treasures of the Study: the brush (笔), ink (墨), paper (纸), and inkstone (砚). These were the essential implements for any scholar or artist. This traditional respect for writing tools has evolved into a modern cultural phenomenon. While in the West, stationery is often seen as purely functional (e.g., a basic pack of ballpoint pens), in China and across East Asia, it's a massive industry driven by aesthetics, personal expression, and collectibility. Stationery stores (文具店) are often treasure troves of beautifully designed, innovative, and “cute” (可爱 kě'ài) items. The modern hobby of 手帐 (shǒu zhàng), or decorating personal planners and journals with elaborate stickers, tapes, and pens, is a direct descendant of this cultural appreciation for 文具. So, while “stationery” is the correct translation, 文具 in modern China carries an added layer of cultural significance as a form of art, hobby, and self-expression.

文具 is a neutral and widely used term in both formal and informal contexts.

• In School and University: This is the most common context. Students constantly need to buy and use 文具. Going to the 文具店 (wénjù diàn, stationery store) is a common errand before a new semester begins.
• In the Office: The term is used to refer to office supplies. A colleague might ask the administrator to order more 办公文具 (bàngōng wénjù, office stationery).
• As a Hobby: People who enjoy collecting pens, notebooks, and other items will talk about their love for 文具. It's common to see social media posts showing off a new stationery haul.

The term itself is a general category. You use it when referring to the supplies collectively, not when asking for a specific item.

• Example 1:
  • 开学前，我需要买一些新文具。
  • Pinyin: Kāixué qián, wǒ xūyào mǎi yīxiē xīn wénjù.
  • English: Before the school year starts, I need to buy some new stationery.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical sentence for any student. It uses 文具 as a general category for school supplies.
• Example 2:
  • 这家文具店的笔都很好看。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā wénjù diàn de bǐ dōu hěn hǎokàn.
  • English: The pens in this stationery store are all very good-looking.
  • Analysis: This example shows the compound word 文具店 (wénjù diàn), which means “stationery store.”
• Example 3:
  • 我的文具盒里装满了各种各样的笔。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de wénjù hé li zhuāng mǎnle gè zhǒng gè yàng de bǐ.
  • English: My pencil case is filled with all kinds of pens.
  • Analysis: Introduces another useful compound, 文具盒 (wénjù hé), meaning “pencil case” or “stationery box.”
• Example 4:
  • 你能借我一点文具吗？我忘了带橡皮。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng jiè wǒ yīdiǎn wénjù ma? Wǒ wàngle dài xiàngpí.
  • English: Can you lend me some stationery? I forgot to bring an eraser.
  • Analysis: Here, the speaker uses the general term 文具 first, then specifies the exact item (橡皮 xiàngpí, eraser) they need. This is a natural way to phrase the request.
• Example 5:
  • 公司的办公文具都放在那个柜子里。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de bàngōng wénjù dōu fàng zài nàge guìzi lǐ.
  • English: The company's office supplies are all kept in that cabinet.
  • Analysis: Shows the use of 文具 in a business or office context, often paired with 办公 (bàngōng, office).
• Example 6:
  • 她最大的爱好就是收集可爱的文具。
  • Pinyin: Tā zuìdà de àihào jiùshì shōují kě'ài de wénjù.
  • English: Her biggest hobby is collecting cute stationery.
  • Analysis: This highlights the cultural aspect of stationery as a collectible hobby.
• Example 7:
  • 这套高级文具是送给老师的礼物。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tào gāojí wénjù shì sòng gěi lǎoshī de lǐwù.
  • English: This set of high-end stationery is a gift for the teacher.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates that 文具 can also refer to fancy or premium gift sets.
• Example 8:
  • 超市里有卖文具的区域吗？
  • Pinyin: Chāoshì lǐ yǒu mài wénjù de qūyù ma?
  • English: Is there a section in the supermarket that sells stationery?
  • Analysis: A practical question for daily life and shopping.
• Example 9:
  • 考试时，请确保你带齐了所有必需的文具。
  • Pinyin: Kǎoshì shí, qǐng quèbǎo nǐ dài qíle suǒyǒu bìxū de wénjù.
  • English: During the exam, please ensure you have brought all the necessary stationery.
  • Analysis: A formal instruction, showing the term's use in official or academic contexts.
• Example 10:
  • 整理桌子的时候，我发现了很多没用过的文具。
  • Pinyin: Zhěnglǐ zhuōzi de shíhòu, wǒ fāxiànle hěnduō méi yòngguò de wénjù.
  • English: While tidying my desk, I found a lot of unused stationery.
  • Analysis: A relatable, everyday sentence about organizing one's workspace.

• Collective vs. Specific: The most common mistake for learners is treating 文具 as a countable noun for a single item. 文具 is a collective, uncountable noun, like “furniture” or “equipment” in English. You cannot “buy one stationery.” You buy “some stationery” (一些文具) or a specific item that falls under the category of stationery, like a pen (一支笔) or a notebook (一个本子).
  • Incorrect: 我想买一个文具。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīge wénjù.) → “I want to buy one stationery.”
  • Correct: 我想买一支笔。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī zhī bǐ.) → “I want to buy a pen.”
  • Correct: 我想买一些文具。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yīxiē wénjù.) → “I want to buy some stationery.”
• Breadth of Meaning: Remember that 文具 is a very broad term. In English, you might distinguish between “stationery” (paper, envelopes) and “office supplies” (staplers, hole punchers). In Chinese, 文具 comfortably covers all of these items.

• 文具店 (wénjù diàn) - A stationery store; the place you go to buy 文具.
• 文具盒 (wénjù hé) - A pencil case or stationery box.
• 学习用品 (xuéxí yòngpǐn) - School supplies. A very close synonym for 文具, but with a stronger emphasis on the context of studying.
• 办公用品 (bàngōng yòngpǐn) - Office supplies. A more formal or specific term used in a corporate environment.
• 文房四宝 (wénfángsìbǎo) - The Four Treasures of the Study. The classical, artistic predecessor to modern 文具.
• 笔 (bǐ) - Pen, pencil, or writing brush. The most fundamental type of 文具.
• 本子 (běnzi) - Notebook. Another core item of 文具.
• 纸 (zhǐ) - Paper.
• 手帐 (shǒu zhàng) - A decorated planner/journal. A modern hobby that is heavily reliant on collecting and using a wide variety of 文具.