embassy
HSK level
大使馆 is written with 22 strokes (大: 3, 使: 8, 馆: 11). The animation replays automatically.
大使馆 (dàshǐguǎn) is a noun meaning 'embassy' — the official diplomatic mission of one country located in the capital of another, headed by an ambassador (大使, dàshǐ).
Literally it breaks down as 大使 ('ambassador') + 馆 ('official building / hall'), so it names both the institution and its building. Learners go to the 大使馆 to apply for a visa, renew a passport, or seek help while abroad. English speakers should distinguish it from 领事馆 (lǐngshìguǎn, 'consulate'), which is a smaller diplomatic office usually in a non-capital city and headed by a consul (领事) rather than an ambassador.
大使馆 is neutral in register and standard in news, travel, and everyday contexts. The suffix 馆 recurs in many public-building words — 图书馆 (library), 博物馆 (museum), 餐馆 (restaurant) — so recognizing it helps decode this family of nouns.
Character by character
Memory hook: 大使 (ambassador) + 馆 (hall) → the ambassador's hall = the embassy.
我明天要去大使馆办签证。
Wǒ míngtiān yào qù dàshǐguǎn bàn qiānzhèng.
I'm going to the embassy tomorrow to apply for a visa.
spoken
中国大使馆就在市中心。
Zhōngguó dàshǐguǎn jiù zài shì zhōngxīn.
The Chinese embassy is right downtown.
neutral
护照丢了可以联系大使馆。
Hùzhào diū le kěyǐ liánxì dàshǐguǎn.
If you lose your passport, you can contact the embassy.
neutral
大使馆将于周一发布正式声明。
Dàshǐguǎn jiāng yú zhōuyī fābù zhèngshì shēngmíng.
The embassy will release an official statement on Monday.
written
领事馆 is a 'consulate' — a smaller diplomatic office, usually in a city other than the capital, headed by a consul. 大使馆 (embassy) is the main mission in the capital, headed by an ambassador.
大使 is the 'ambassador' — the person. 大使馆 adds 馆 to name the building/institution. Don't drop the 馆 when you mean the place.
Acquire it by listening
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