‘纸杯’ (zhǐ bēi) literally means ‘paper cup’ — a disposable drinking vessel made from paper or paperboard, often coated with plastic or wax to prevent leakage. The first character, 纸 (zhǐ), means ‘paper’, and the second, 杯 (bēi), means ‘cup’ or ‘drinking vessel’. Together, they form a compound noun that emphasizes material and function: a cup defined by its paper construction.

This word is commonly used in everyday settings like offices, schools, cafés, and homes — especially when serving water, coffee, tea, or juice. Paper cups are valued for their convenience, low cost, and disposability, though environmental concerns have increased awareness of reusable alternatives. ‘纸杯’ is neutral in register and appears frequently in spoken and written Chinese, including product labels, menus, and public announcements about hygiene or sustainability.