fùyìnjī: 复印机 - Photocopier, Copy Machine

• Keywords: fuyinji, 复印机, photocopier in Chinese, copy machine in Chinese, how to say copier in Mandarin, office equipment Chinese, fuyin, yin, ji, print vs copy Chinese
• Summary: Learn how to say and use “photocopier” or “copy machine” in Chinese with our complete guide to 复印机 (fùyìnjī). This entry breaks down the characters 复 (fù), 印 (yìn), and 机 (jī), provides numerous practical example sentences for office and daily life, and explores the role of this essential office equipment in modern China. Discover related vocabulary like “to print” (打印) and “to scan” (扫描) to master your Chinese office communication skills.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fùyìnjī
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A machine that makes copies of documents; a photocopier.
• In a Nutshell: 复印机 (fùyìnjī) is the direct and standard word for a photocopier or copy machine in Mandarin Chinese. It's a compound noun that transparently describes its function: a “repeat-print-machine.” This is a straightforward, functional term used in any context where you'd talk about a copier, from a university library to a corporate office.

• 复 (fù): This character means “to repeat,” “again,” or “to duplicate.” It conveys the idea of doing something a second time or creating a replica.
• 印 (yìn): This character means “to print,” “a seal,” or “an impression.” It's related to the act of making a mark, like with a traditional Chinese seal (印章 yìnzhāng) or a modern printer.
• 机 (jī): A very common and important character that means “machine” or “device.” It acts as a suffix for countless types of machinery, such as 手机 (shǒujī - mobile phone), 洗衣机 (xǐyījī - washing machine), and 飞机 (fēijī - airplane).

By combining these characters, the logic becomes clear: 复 (repeat) + 印 (print) + 机 (machine) literally creates the meaning “repeat-print-machine,” a perfect and intuitive description of a photocopier.

While a photocopier might seem like a simple piece of technology, its role in China highlights some key cultural and societal norms. In China, with its large population and historically strong bureaucratic systems, the 复印机 is an indispensable tool in government offices (政府机关 zhèngfǔ jīguān), schools, and businesses. The act of “复印 (fùyìn)“—photocopying—is a crucial step in preparing official documents, from visa applications and housing contracts to university admissions. This can be contrasted with the rapid “go paperless” trend in some Western countries. While digital files are of course ubiquitous in China, physical, stamped, and signed documents often hold more official weight. You will frequently be asked for photocopies (复印件 fùyìnjiàn) of your passport, ID card (身份证 shēnfènzhèng), and diplomas for any formal procedure. The 复印机 thus acts as a gatekeeper to getting things done. The prevalence of small copy shops (复印店 fùyìndiàn) near universities and government buildings underscores this continued reliance on and respect for physical copies in official matters.

The term 复印机 (fùyìnjī) is used in a very straightforward manner, primarily in the following contexts:

• In the Office (办公室 bàngōngshì): This is the most common scenario. You'll use the word to refer to the machine itself, ask for its location, or report a problem.
• Official Procedures: When preparing applications for jobs, visas, or schools, you'll need 复印件 (fùyìnjiàn - photocopies) of your documents, which are made using a 复印机.
• Education: Students frequently use the 复印机 at university libraries or nearby copy shops (复印店 fùyìndiàn) to copy textbook chapters, articles, or classmates' notes. The cost is usually very low, charged per page.

The term itself is neutral and carries no special connotation. It is used in both formal and informal settings.

• Example 1:
  • 办公室里的复印机坏了，我们得找人来修。
  • Pinyin: Bàngōngshì lǐ de fùyìnjī huài le, wǒmen děi zhǎo rén lái xiū.
  • English: The photocopier in the office is broken, we need to find someone to fix it.
  • Analysis: A very common real-life sentence. Note the use of 坏了 (huài le) for “is broken.”
• Example 2:
  • 请问，复印机在哪里？我需要复印我的护照。
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn, fùyìnjī zài nǎlǐ? Wǒ xūyào fùyìn wǒ de hùzhào.
  • English: Excuse me, where is the copy machine? I need to copy my passport.
  • Analysis: This example clearly shows the difference between the noun 复印机 (the machine) and the verb 复印 (to copy).
• Example 3:
  • 这台新的复印机功能很多，不仅能复印，还能扫描和打印。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái xīn de fùyìnjī gōngnéng hěn duō, bùjǐn néng fùyìn, hái néng sǎomiáo hé dǎyìn.
  • English: This new copier has many functions; not only can it copy, but it can also scan and print.
  • Analysis: The measure word for machines like copiers and computers is 台 (tái). This sentence introduces related functions like 扫描 (sǎomiáo - to scan) and 打印 (dǎyìn - to print).
• Example 4:
  • 你能教我怎么用这台复印机吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng jiāo wǒ zěnme yòng zhè tái fùyìnjī ma?
  • English: Can you teach me how to use this photocopier?
  • Analysis: A great practical question for a new student or employee.
• Example 5:
  • 糟糕，复印机卡纸了！
  • Pinyin: Zāogāo, fùyìnjī kǎzhǐ le!
  • English: Oh no, the photocopier has a paper jam!
  • Analysis: 卡纸 (kǎzhǐ) literally means “stuck paper” and is the specific term for a paper jam.
• Example 6:
  • 我们公司打算采购一批新的复印机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī dǎsuàn cǎigòu yī pī xīn de fùyìnjī.
  • English: Our company plans to purchase a batch of new copiers.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses more formal business vocabulary like 采购 (cǎigòu - to procure/purchase) and 一批 (yī pī - a batch of).
• Example 7:
  • 学校图书馆的复印机需要用校园卡支付。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxiào túshūguǎn de fùyìnjī xūyào yòng xiàoyuánkǎ zhīfù.
  • English: The photocopier in the school library requires payment with a campus card.
  • Analysis: This highlights a common situation for students in China.
• Example 8:
  • 这份文件需要复印五份，你能在复印机旁边等我一下吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn wénjiàn xūyào fùyìn wǔ fèn, nǐ néng zài fùyìnjī pángbiān děng wǒ yīxià ma?
  • English: This document needs five copies. Can you wait for me by the copier for a moment?
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of a location “by the copier” (复印机旁边). The measure word for copies is 份 (fèn).
• Example 9:
  • 这台复印机可以进行双面复印，能节约用纸。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái fùyìnjī kěyǐ jìnxíng shuāngmiàn fùyìn, néng jiéyuē yòngzhǐ.
  • English: This copier can perform double-sided copying, which can save paper.
  • Analysis: 双面复印 (shuāngmiàn fùyìn) means “duplex/double-sided copying.”
• Example 10:
  • 如果复印机没有墨了，请通知行政部门。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ fùyìnjī méiyǒu mò le, qǐng tōngzhī xíngzhèng bùmén.
  • English: If the copier is out of ink/toner, please notify the administration department.
  • Analysis: 墨 (mò) literally means “ink,” but it's used colloquially for toner as well.

The most common point of confusion for learners is distinguishing between the machine, the action, and the resulting product.

• Machine (Noun) vs. Action (Verb):
  • 复印机 (fùyìnjī) is the machine.
  • 复印 (fùyìn) is the verb “to photocopy.”
  • Incorrect: `你能复印机这个文件吗？` (Using the noun as a verb)
  • Correct: `你能复印这个文件吗？` (Can you photocopy this document?)
• Action (Verb) vs. Product (Noun):
  • 复印 (fùyìn) is the action of copying.
  • 复印件 (fùyìnjiàn) is the physical product, the paper photocopy.
  • Incorrect: `我需要一份复印。` (Like saying “I need one to-copy.”)
  • Correct: `我需要一份复印件。` (I need a photocopy.)
• “False Friend”: Photocopier vs. Printer
  • 复印机 (fùyìnjī) makes a copy of an existing physical document.
  • 打印机 (dǎyìnjī) prints a file from a computer or digital source.
  • While many modern office machines are all-in-ones (一体机 yītǐjī), the words for the specific functions are not interchangeable. If you need to print a Word document, you must use the verb 打印 (dǎyìn), not 复印 (fùyìn).

• 复印 (fùyìn) - The verb, “to photocopy.” This is the action you perform with a 复印机.
• 复印件 (fùyìnjiàn) - The noun for the physical paper copy produced by the machine.
• 打印机 (dǎyìnjī) - Printer. The machine for printing from a computer; the most common point of confusion with a 复印机.
• 打印 (dǎyìn) - The verb, “to print.”
• 扫描仪 (sǎomiáoyí) - Scanner. A machine that digitizes a physical document.
• 扫描 (sǎomiáo) - The verb, “to scan.”
• 一体机 (yītǐjī) - An “all-in-one” machine that combines printing, scanning, and copying functions.
• 办公室 (bàngōngshì) - Office. The most common place to find a 复印机.
• 文件 (wénjiàn) - Document, file. What you typically copy or print.
• 墨盒 (mòhé) / 碳粉 (tànfěn) - Ink cartridge / Toner. The consumables for a copier or printer.