Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
柜台(櫃台)guìtái(gui4tai2)
柜台 (gui4 tai2) refers to a sales counter or front desk where transactions and customer interactions occur. Commonly found in shops, hotels, and bars, it serves as a point of service where goods are sold or information is provided.
Frequency#6767DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a sales counter is significant in traditional markets and modern shopping environments, reflecting the importance of personal interaction in commerce. The design and arrangement of a '柜台' can influence customer experience and satisfaction.
Memory Tip
Think of the character 柜 (gui4) as a 'cabinet' where items are stored and 台 (tai2) as a 'platform' or 'table' where transactions take place. Imagine a sales counter that looks like a cabinet with a table on top, where customers interact with the staff.
Meanings of 柜台
guìtái(gui4tai2)
1sales counter
2front desk
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 柜台
柜台Simplified
櫃台Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#6767Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L7AdvancedBCT✓CEFRC2
Podcast: 柜台
Podcast: 柜台
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 柜台
Quick Contrast
收银台 (shōuyín tái) vs 柜台 (guìtái): Use 收银台 specifically for cash registers or payment counters, while 柜台 is a more general term for any service counter.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of the character 柜 (gui4) as a 'cabinet' where items are stored and 台 (tai2) as a 'platform' or 'table' where transactions take place. Imagine a sales counter that looks like a cabinet with a table on top, where customers interact with the staff.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing this word; '柜台' has a falling tone followed by a rising tone. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more commonly heard in everyday situations like shopping or dining.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 5 word, '柜台' connects well with other terms related to commerce and service, such as '服务' (service) and '交易' (transaction). Students should focus on using it in context with phrases related to customer service and retail.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of a sales counter is significant in traditional markets and modern shopping environments, reflecting the importance of personal interaction in commerce. The design and arrangement of a '柜台' can influence customer experience and satisfaction.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 柜台 with other similar words like '桌子' (table), which refers to any table rather than a service counter. For example, saying '我在桌子买东西' (I buy things at the table) instead of '我在柜台买东西' (I buy things at the counter) is incorrect.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 柜台
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 柜台 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 柜台 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Grammar Patterns of 柜台
柜台 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 5 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他勉强能看到____后面的小个子男人。
He could just about see the little man behind the counter.
Example Sentences for 柜台 (10)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
他勉强能看到柜台后面的小个子男人。
tā miǎn qiáng néng kàn dào guì tái hòu miàn de xiǎo gè zǐ nán rén。
He could just about see the little man behind the counter.
nà wèi gù kè bǎ qián rēng zài guì tái shàng jiù lí kāi le.
The customer cast his money on the counter and left.
Cultural Notes for 柜台
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of a sales counter is significant in traditional markets and modern shopping environments, reflecting the importance of personal interaction in commerce. The design and arrangement of a '柜台' can influence customer experience and satisfaction.
Frequently Asked Questions about 柜台
柜台 can be found in various places such as shops, hotels, and restaurants, serving as a point of service.
Yes, 柜台 can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it's more commonly used in everyday situations.
Yes, a synonym for 柜台 is 櫃檯 (gui4 tai2), which is a variant used in some regions.
