Chinese for Print Shops: Requesting Double-Sided Short-Edge Binding
Learn Mandarin terms and sentence patterns to ask for double-sided printing with short-edge flip, choose glue binding or saddle stitch, and confirm page order at a mainland print shop.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
When you need a document printed double-sided and bound along the short edge, clear communication with the print shop staff is essential. This lesson teaches you the key terms 双面 (double-sided), 短边翻页 (short-edge flip), 装订 (binding), 胶装 (glue binding), and 骑马钉 (saddle stitch), along with the sentence patterns to specify your needs and confirm 页码顺序 (page order). You will practice a realistic dialogue and learn to avoid common mistakes. The focus is on neutral, mainland print shop register, so you can confidently request exactly what you want.
By the end, you can…
- ask for double-sided printing with short-edge flip using 双面 and 短边翻页.
- specify glue binding or saddle stitch using 胶装 and 骑马钉.
- confirm the page order with 页码顺序.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
我要双面打印，短边翻页。
I want double-sided printing, flip on the short edge.
Wǒ yào shuāngmiàn dǎyìn, duǎnbiān fānyè.
Use this to state the basic requirement for double-sided short-edge printing.
请帮我胶装。
Please glue-bind it for me.
Qǐng bāng wǒ jiāozhuāng.
Ask for glue binding, common for thicker documents. Note that 胶装 is a noun here; to say 'glue-bind it', use 胶装 with 做/弄 or the pattern 请帮我做胶装。
这本用骑马钉。
Use saddle stitch for this one.
Zhè běn yòng qímǎdīng.
Specify saddle stitch, suitable for thinner booklets.
页码顺序对吗？
Is the page order correct?
Yèmǎ shùnxù duì ma?
Confirm that the pages are in the right order after printing.
短边翻页，不要长边。
Short-edge flip, not long-edge.
Duǎnbiān fānyè, bùyào chángbiān.
Clarify the flip direction to avoid confusion with long-edge binding.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To request a specific printing and binding style, use the pattern '我要 + [printing option] + [binding option]'. For example: 我要双面打印，短边翻页，胶装。 (I want double-sided printing, short-edge flip, glue binding.) You can also use '请帮我 + [verb phrase]' to ask politely: 请帮我做骑马钉。 (Please saddle-stitch it for me.) The verb 装订 (bind) can be used generally: 怎么装订？ (How should it be bound?) Remember to specify 短边翻页 for short-edge flip; otherwise, the default may be long-edge.
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are at a print shop and need to give instructions. Start with the printing method: 双面打印 (double-sided printing) or 单面打印 (single-sided printing). Then specify the flip direction: 短边翻页 (short-edge flip) or 长边翻页 (long-edge flip). Finally, choose the binding: 胶装 (glue binding) for a professional look on thicker documents, or 骑马钉 (saddle stitch) for thinner booklets. If you are unsure, ask the staff: 哪种装订合适？ (Which binding is suitable?) Always confirm the page order with 页码顺序对吗？ to ensure the final product is correct.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
你好，我要打印这份文件，双面，短边翻页。
Hello, I want to print this document, double-sided, short-edge flip.Nǐ hǎo, wǒ yào dǎyìn zhè fèn wénjiàn, shuāngmiàn, duǎnbiān fānyè.好的，装订要胶装还是骑马钉？
Okay, for binding, do you want glue binding or saddle stitch?Hǎo de, zhuāngdìng yào jiāozhuāng háishì qímǎdīng?胶装。另外，页码顺序对吗？
Glue binding. Also, is the page order correct?Jiāozhuāng. Lìngwài, yèmǎ shùnxù duì ma?没问题，页码顺序是对的。
No problem, the page order is correct.Méi wèntí, yèmǎ shùnxù shì duì de.A little context goes a long way
In mainland print shops, staff are generally direct and efficient. It is common to state your requirements clearly and confirm details like page order. Politeness is shown by using 请 (please) and 谢谢 (thank you). Avoid assuming the shop knows your preferences; always specify short-edge flip if needed, as long-edge is often the default. If you are unsure about binding options, asking for recommendations is acceptable.
One thing to watch for
Saying 双面短边翻页 as a single phrase without pauses, which may be misunderstood as a single term.
Try this instead: Separate the terms clearly: 双面打印，短边翻页。 This ensures the staff understands you want double-sided printing with short-edge flip, not a combined setting.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How do you ask for double-sided printing with short-edge flip?
Show a sample answer
我要双面打印，短边翻页。
This sentence clearly states the printing method and flip direction. You could also say 双面，短边翻页。 Both are acceptable.
2What phrase would you use to request glue binding?
Show a sample answer
请帮我胶装。
This politely asks for glue binding. Alternatively, 我要胶装。 is also correct but slightly less polite. Note that 胶装 is a noun; to use it as a verb, say 请帮我做胶装。
3How do you confirm the page order?
Show a sample answer
页码顺序对吗？
This question checks if the pages are in the correct order. You could also say 页码顺序没问题吧？ to sound more casual.
Always specify 双面打印 and 短边翻页 for double-sided short-edge printing, choose 胶装 or 骑马钉 for binding, and confirm 页码顺序 before leaving the shop.
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