Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== sǎo yī sǎo: 扫一扫 - Scan (with a phone) ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** sao yi sao, 扫一扫, scan QR code Chinese, WeChat pay, Alipay, Chinese mobile payment, how to scan in China, scan to pay, add friend WeChat, 二维码, èrwéimǎ, mobile life in China * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese phrase **sǎo yī sǎo (扫一扫)**, which literally means "scan a little" but is the key to daily life in modern China. This page will teach you how to use "sǎo yī sǎo" to pay for goods, add friends on WeChat, rent bikes, and order food by scanning QR codes. Understand the culture behind China's mobile-first society and see practical examples that will make you feel like a local. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** sǎo yī sǎo * **Part of Speech:** Verb Phrase * **HSK Level:** N/A (The components 扫 (sǎo) and 一 (yī) are HSK 3 and HSK 1 respectively, but the phrase itself is a functional language item.) * **Concise Definition:** To scan something, almost always a QR code, using a smartphone. * **In a Nutshell:** "Sǎo yī sǎo" is the action that unlocks modern convenience in China. It's a casual, everyday command or suggestion that means "give it a quick scan." While it literally translates to "sweep a sweep," it's understood by everyone to mean pointing your phone's camera at a QR code to initiate an action, whether it's paying, connecting, or getting information. It is the verbal key to the digital kingdom of China. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **扫 (sǎo):** The original meaning is "to sweep," as in with a broom. This character vividly captures the motion of a scanner's light beam or a phone's camera view moving across a code. * **一 (yī):** Meaning "one" or "a little." In the "Verb-一-Verb" structure, it softens the verb, making the action sound quick, casual, and effortless. It changes the feeling from a command "Scan!" to a suggestion "Just give it a quick scan." * **扫 (sǎo):** The verb is repeated to complete the pattern. The characters combine to create a feeling of ease and speed. "Sweep-one-sweep" perfectly describes the simple, second-long action of scanning a QR code that is so fundamental to daily Chinese life. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The phrase **sǎo yī sǎo** is a direct reflection of China's "Great Tech Leap." While the West slowly transitioned from cash to checks to credit cards to tap-to-pay (NFC), China largely jumped from a cash-based society directly to a mobile-payment one, with QR codes as the primary technology. A key cultural contrast is **QR Code vs. Tap-to-Pay**. In America or Europe, paying with a phone usually means tapping it on a card reader using NFC technology. In China, the dominant action is **scanning (扫)**. This has profound implications. QR codes are incredibly versatile and cheap to produce—a street food vendor can simply print a code on a piece of paper. This democraticized digital payments and services, making them accessible to virtually every level of commerce. This reliance on `sǎo yī sǎo` has created a deeply integrated digital ecosystem, primarily centered around two "super-apps": WeChat and Alipay. The action of scanning is the gateway to payments, social connections, government services, transportation, and more. It embodies the modern Chinese values of **efficiency (效率 - xiàolǜ)** and **convenience (方便 - fāngbiàn)**. For a visitor, understanding and using `sǎo yī sǎo` is the single most important step to participating in everyday Chinese society. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== `Sǎo yī sǎo` is used constantly in countless informal, everyday situations. It is a neutral term, neither overly polite nor rude, and is used by everyone from children to the elderly. === Payments === This is the most common use. When you're at a register, you'll either scan the merchant's QR code or have them scan a payment code on your phone. * You might say: “我**扫一扫**。” (Wǒ sǎo yī sǎo.) - "I'll scan." * The cashier might say: “请**扫一扫**这里。” (Qǐng sǎo yī sǎo zhèlǐ.) - "Please scan here." === Socializing === Instead of exchanging phone numbers, it's far more common to add someone on WeChat by scanning their personal QR code. * You might ask a new acquaintance: “我们加个微信吧，你**扫一扫**我。” (Wǒmen jiā gè Wēixìn ba, nǐ sǎo yī sǎo wǒ.) - "Let's add each other on WeChat, you can scan me." === Services and Transportation === From renting shared bikes (like Mobike/Hellobike) to ordering food at a restaurant, you'll start by scanning a QR code on the bike or table. * At a restaurant, your friend might say: “你**扫一扫**桌上的二维码点餐。” (Nǐ sǎo yī sǎo zhuō shàng de èrwéimǎ diǎncān.) - "Scan the QR code on the table to order." ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 老板，多少钱？我**扫一扫**。 * Pinyin: Lǎobǎn, duōshǎo qián? Wǒ **sǎo yī sǎo**. * English: Boss, how much is it? I'll scan to pay. * Analysis: A very common phrase used at any small shop or restaurant. "Lǎobǎn" (boss) is a common way to address a shopkeeper. * **Example 2:** * 你好，我们加个微信吧。我**扫一扫**你的二维码。 * Pinyin: Nǐ hǎo, wǒmen jiā gè Wēixìn ba. Wǒ **sǎo yī sǎo** nǐ de èrwéimǎ. * English: Hello, let's add each other on WeChat. I'll scan your QR code. * Analysis: This is the standard procedure for making a new friend or business contact in China. "加个微信 (jiā gè Wēixìn)" means "add on WeChat." * **Example 3:** * 这里的共享单车，你用手机**扫一扫**就能解锁了。 * Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de gòngxiǎng dānchē, nǐ yòng shǒujī **sǎo yī sǎo** jiù néng jiěsuǒ le. * English: For the shared bikes here, you can unlock them just by scanning with your phone. * Analysis: Explains how a system works. "解锁 (jiěsuǒ)" means "to unlock." * **Example 4:** * 服务员，我们想点餐，是要**扫一扫**这个吗？ * Pinyin: Fúwùyuán, wǒmen xiǎng diǎncān, shì yào **sǎo yī sǎo** zhège ma? * English: Waiter, we'd like to order. Do we scan this one? * Analysis: A typical question in a modern restaurant where ordering is done via QR code on the table. * **Example 5:** * 别找现金了，太麻烦了。你直接**扫一扫**我吧。 * Pinyin: Bié zhǎo xiànjīn le, tài máfan le. Nǐ zhíjiē **sǎo yī sǎo** wǒ ba. * English: Don't look for cash, it's too much trouble. Just scan me directly. * Analysis: Shows the preference for mobile payment over cash (现金 - xiànjīn). "Scan me" means scanning the speaker's personal payment code. * **Example 6:** * 付款的时候，你可以选择让商家**扫一扫**你的付款码。 * Pinyin: Fùkuǎn de shíhòu, nǐ kěyǐ xuǎnzé ràng shāngjiā **sǎo yī sǎo** nǐ de fùkuǎn mǎ. * English: When paying, you can choose to let the merchant scan your payment code. * Analysis: Explains the reverse scenario, where the merchant scans you. "付款码 (fùkuǎn mǎ)" is the payment code generated by your app. * **Example 7:** * 妈妈，我要买这个玩具，你帮我**扫一扫**好不好？ * Pinyin: Māma, wǒ yào mǎi zhège wánjù, nǐ bāng wǒ **sǎo yī sǎo** hǎo bu hǎo? * English: Mom, I want to buy this toy, can you help me scan it? * Analysis: Demonstrates how even children use the term. The "hǎo bu hǎo" ending makes it a gentle, pleading request. * **Example 8:** * 要租用充电宝，请先**扫一扫**机身上的二维码。 * Pinyin: Yào zūyòng chōngdiànbǎo, qǐng xiān **sǎo yī sǎo** jīshēn shàng de èrwéimǎ. * English: To rent a power bank, please first scan the QR code on the device. * Analysis: Typical instruction found on automated rental machines like for "充电宝 (chōngdiànbǎo)" - portable power banks. * **Example 9:** * 我不太会用，你能教我怎么**扫一扫**吗？ * Pinyin: Wǒ bú tài huì yòng, nǐ néng jiāo wǒ zěnme **sǎo yī sǎo** ma? * English: I don't really know how to use this, can you teach me how to scan? * Analysis: A useful phrase for a beginner or an elderly person who is new to the technology. * **Example 10:** * 关注我们的公众号，只需**扫一扫**下面的二维码。 * Pinyin: Guānzhù wǒmen de gōngzhònghào, zhǐ xū **sǎo yī sǎo** xiàmiàn de èrwéimǎ. * English: To follow our official account, just scan the QR code below. * Analysis: Common marketing language seen on posters and websites. "公众号 (gōngzhònghào)" are official accounts on WeChat, similar to a Facebook page. ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== * **`扫一扫 (sǎo yī sǎo)` vs. `扫描 (sǎomiáo)`:** This is a key distinction. * **`扫一扫`** is the casual, everyday term used almost exclusively for QR codes. It implies a quick, simple action with a phone. * **`扫描 (sǎomiáo)`** is a more formal and technical term for "to scan." You would use `sǎomiáo` for scanning a document into a computer, getting a medical CT scan, or a radar scanning the sky. * **Incorrect Usage:** //"请你帮我把这份文件**扫一扫**到电脑里。"// (Qǐng nǐ bāng wǒ bǎ zhè fèn wénjiàn **sǎo yī sǎo** dào diànnǎo lǐ.) * **Why it's wrong:** This sounds strange because `扫一扫` is for QR codes. The correct verb here would be `扫描 (sǎomiáo)`. * **Not Just for Payment:** A common misconception for newcomers is that QR codes are only for paying. Remember that `sǎo yī sǎo` is the gateway to a huge range of interactions: adding friends, logging into Wi-Fi, ordering food, reading information, following brands, and more. Don't hesitate to scan a code just to see what it does. * **The "Give it a try" Feeling:** The "一 (yī)" in the middle gives the phrase a light, low-commitment feeling. It's more like "give it a scan" than a forceful "Scan this!" This is why it feels natural both as a self-narration ("Wǒ sǎo yī sǎo" - "Let me give this a scan") and as a suggestion to others. ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== * [[二维码]] (èrwéimǎ) - The QR code itself. The object that you `扫一扫`. * [[微信支付]] (Wēixìn Zhīfù) - WeChat Pay. One of the two dominant payment platforms where you use `扫一扫`. * [[支付宝]] (Zhīfùbǎo) - Alipay. The other major payment and lifestyle platform that heavily relies on `扫一扫`. * [[扫描]] (sǎomiáo) - The more formal/technical verb for "to scan," used for documents, medical imaging, etc. * [[付款码]] (fùkuǎn mǎ) - Payment code. The QR/barcode your phone generates for a merchant to `扫一扫`. * [[收款码]] (shōukuǎn mǎ) - Receipt code. The merchant's QR code that you `扫一扫` to pay them. * [[加好友]] (jiā hǎoyǒu) - To add a friend. A common result of using `扫一扫` on someone's personal QR code. * [[共享单车]] (gòngxiǎng dānchē) - Shared bikes. You must `扫一扫` the bike's QR code to unlock and use it. * [[公众号]] (gōngzhònghào) - Official Account on WeChat. You follow them by using `扫一扫` on their QR code.