About
The character "店" originally depicted a building used as an inn or a hostel, a meaning derived from its structural composition which combines the roof or building radical "广" with the component "占", the latter historically suggesting occupation or placement. Over centuries, its core meaning shifted from a place offering lodging to a more general commercial establishment, specifically a shop or store where goods are sold. This semantic expansion was already evident by the Tang Dynasty, reflecting the character's adaptation to changes in societal commerce and urban life. While its written form has remained largely consistent in its traditional structure, the conceptual focus transitioned from the function of housing people to the function of housing and displaying merchandise for sale.
Example Sentences Hide
我去商店买东西。
这家店很干净。
书店里有很多书。
他开了一家新店。
那家店的老板很友好。
这家便利店二十四小时营业。
我们经常去那家咖啡店聊天。
由于疫情，许多实体店不得不转向线上销售。