píngbǎn: 平板 - Tablet, Flat Panel, Slab

• Keywords: píngbǎn, 平板, what does pingban mean, Chinese for tablet, iPad in Chinese, tablet computer in Mandarin, flat panel in Chinese, Chinese tech terms, learning Chinese
• Summary: Learn the modern Chinese word for “tablet computer,” 平板 (píngbǎn). This comprehensive guide breaks down its literal meaning of “flat board,” its cultural significance in tech-savvy China, and provides over 10 practical example sentences. Discover how 平板 is used to talk about everything from iPads to flat-screen TVs and even the “plank” exercise, helping you navigate daily conversations and tech discussions in Mandarin.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): píngbǎn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A tablet computer; a flat panel, plate, or slab.
• In a Nutshell: At its heart, 平板 (píngbǎn) literally means “flat board.” While it can refer to any flat, slab-like object, its most common and essential meaning in modern Mandarin is “tablet computer”—think iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab. The term perfectly captures the device's form factor, making it an intuitive and widely used word in today's digital China.

• 平 (píng): This character's primary meaning is “flat,” “level,” or “even.” It can also mean “peaceful” or “calm.” Think of a perfectly level surface or a calm body of water.
• 板 (bǎn): This character means “board,” “plank,” or “panel.” The character radical 木 (mù) on the left signifies “wood,” pointing to its origin as a wooden plank.
• The characters combine literally to mean “flat board.” This descriptive name was perfectly suited for the thin, slate-like form of modern tablet computers, making it the standard term for the device.

The term 平板 (píngbǎn) is more than just a direct translation; it reflects China's modern, pragmatic approach to language and its rapid integration of technology. Unlike English, where “tablet” has ancient connotations (stone tablets, writing tablets), 平板 (píngbǎn) is a purely descriptive term created from existing characters. This demonstrates a common pattern in modern Chinese for naming new inventions by describing their form or function. In China, a highly mobile-first society, the 平板 is a ubiquitous device. It's a primary tool for:

• Education: Children frequently use tablets for online classes (`网课 - wǎngkè`) and educational apps.
• Entertainment: Binge-watching dramas (`追剧 - zhuījù`) on a 平板 is a national pastime for all ages.
• E-commerce & Daily Life: From ordering food to paying bills, tablets serve as versatile portals to the digital world. They are also increasingly used as point-of-sale systems in modern cafes and shops.

Therefore, knowing the word 平板 is essential for understanding daily life and conversation in modern, tech-forward China.

The usage of 平板 is straightforward, but its meaning is context-dependent.

• Primary Meaning: Tablet Computer

In 95% of everyday conversations, 平板 refers to a tablet computer. It's a general term, and you can specify the brand if needed, like `苹果平板 (Píngguǒ píngbǎn)` for an iPad. It's used just like you would use “tablet” in English.

• Secondary Meaning: Flat Panel / Slab

The word can be used more literally to describe other flat objects, often as part of a compound word.

• `平板电视 (píngbǎn diànshì)` - Flat-screen TV
• `平板车 (píngbǎn chē)` - Flatbed truck
• `钢平板 (gāng píngbǎn)` - Steel plate/slab
• Adjectival/Figurative Use

Less commonly, it can be used to describe something as “flat,” “dull,” or “monotonous.”

• `他的声音很平板。(Tā de shēngyīn hěn píngbǎn.)` - His voice is very flat/monotonous.

• Example 1:
  • 我的平板没电了，需要充电。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de píngbǎn méi diàn le, xūyào chōngdiàn.
  • English: My tablet is out of battery, I need to charge it.
  • Analysis: A very common, everyday sentence. `没电了 (méi diàn le)` is the standard way to say something is out of battery.
• Example 2:
  • 你觉得我应该买平板还是笔记本电脑？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde wǒ yīnggāi mǎi píngbǎn háishì bǐjìběn diànnǎo?
  • English: Do you think I should buy a tablet or a laptop?
  • Analysis: This sentence directly contrasts 平板 (píngbǎn) with `笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo)`, which means “laptop computer.” A very practical question for a consumer.
• Example 3:
  • 孩子们喜欢用平板看动画片。
  • Pinyin: Háizi men xǐhuān yòng píngbǎn kàn dònghuàpiàn.
  • English: The children like to use a tablet to watch cartoons.
  • Analysis: Shows the common use of a tablet for entertainment. `用 (yòng)` means “to use.”
• Example 4:
  • 这个平板的屏幕特别大，看电影很舒服。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge píngbǎn de píngmù tèbié dà, kàn diànyǐng hěn shūfu.
  • English: This tablet's screen is especially big; it's very comfortable for watching movies.
  • Analysis: Here, `屏幕 (píngmù)` means “screen.” This is a typical way to describe the features of a device.
• Example 5:
  • 老师让我们在平板上完成作业。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen zài píngbǎn shàng wánchéng zuòyè.
  • English: The teacher had us complete the homework on our tablets.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the use of tablets in a modern educational context. `在…上 (zài…shàng)` means “on.”
• Example 6:
  • 我把新的应用程序下载到我的平板上了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ xīn de yìngyòng chéngxù xiàzài dào wǒ de píngbǎn shàng le.
  • English: I downloaded the new app onto my tablet.
  • Analysis: `下载 (xiàzài)` is the verb “to download.” The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used here to show the disposal of the object (the app).
• Example 7:
  • 我们家新买了一台平板电视。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen jiā xīn mǎi le yī tái píngbǎn diànshì.
  • English: Our family just bought a new flat-screen TV.
  • Analysis: This is the most common example of the secondary, literal meaning. Here, 平板 acts as an adjective for `电视 (diànshì)`.
• Example 8:
  • 我每天都做一分钟的平板支撑来锻炼。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān dōu zuò yī fēnzhōng de píngbǎn zhīchēng lái duànliàn.
  • English: Every day I do a one-minute plank to exercise.
  • Analysis: A fantastic example of the literal “flat board” meaning applied to fitness. `平板支撑 (píngbǎn zhīchēng)` is the official term for the “plank” exercise.
• Example 9:
  • 这个故事的叙述有点平板，缺乏感情。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge gùshi de xùshù yǒudiǎn píngbǎn, quēfá gǎnqíng.
  • English: The narration of this story is a bit flat, lacking emotion.
  • Analysis: This shows the advanced, figurative use of 平板 to mean “monotonous” or “uninspired.”
• Example 10:
  • 你的平板是什么牌子的？是华为的吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de píngbǎn shì shénme páizi de? Shì Huáwéi de ma?
  • English: What brand is your tablet? Is it a Huawei?
  • Analysis: A practical question when discussing electronics. `牌子 (páizi)` means “brand.”

• “Tablet” vs. “Laptop”: The most common mistake for learners is confusing 平板 (píngbǎn) with 笔记本 (bǐjìběn), which means “laptop” or “notebook computer.” The key physical difference is that a `笔记本` has an attached keyboard.
  • Correct: 我用平板看视频。(Wǒ yòng píngbǎn kàn shìpín.) - I use a tablet to watch videos.
  • Incorrect: 我用笔记本看视频。(This is also correct, but it means you are using a laptop, not a tablet.)
• Not Just Any Board: While it literally means “flat board,” you wouldn't use 平板 to ask for a piece of wood at a hardware store. In that case, you would be more specific, e.g., `一块木板 (yī kuài mùbǎn)`. In 99% of tech and daily life contexts, 平板 implies the electronic device.
• The Measure Word: The standard measure word for a 平板 (tablet computer) is `台 (tái)`, which is used for machines and electronics.
  • Correct: 一台平板 (yī tái píngbǎn)
  • Common but less formal: 一个平板 (yī ge píngbǎn)

• 电脑 (diànnǎo): The general term for “computer.” A 平板 is a type of `电脑`.
• 笔记本 (bǐjìběn): Laptop/notebook computer. The main alternative to a `平板`.
• 手机 (shǒujī): Mobile phone. The other essential personal electronic device.
• 屏幕 (píngmù): Screen. A key component of a `平板`.
• 电子产品 (diànzǐ chǎnpǐn): Electronic products. The general category that `平板` belongs to.
• 下载 (xiàzài): To download. A primary activity performed on a `平板`.
• 应用 (yìngyòng): Application / “App”. Often shortened to “App” even in spoken Chinese.
• 充电器 (chōngdiànqì): Charger. An essential accessory for a `平板`.
• 平板支撑 (píngbǎn zhīchēng): The “plank” exercise. A great example of the literal meaning of the characters.