zhìnéng shǒujī: 智能手机 - Smartphone, Smart Phone

• Keywords: zhìnéng shǒujī, 智能手机, smartphone in Chinese, mobile phone in Chinese, Chinese for phone, WeChat, Alipay, China tech, Chinese phone brands, how to say smartphone in Mandarin
• Summary: Learn how to say “smartphone” in Chinese with 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī). This guide breaks down the characters, explores the immense cultural significance of smartphones in modern China through apps like WeChat and Alipay, and provides 10 practical example sentences. Discover why the smartphone is more than just a device—it's an essential key to daily life in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhìnéng shǒujī
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities and internet connectivity.
• In a Nutshell: 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī) is the direct and literal translation of “smartphone.” It combines the words for “intelligent” (智能) and “mobile phone” (手机), which itself literally means “hand machine.” It refers to the powerful, pocket-sized computer that has become central to modern life worldwide, but with a unique, all-encompassing role in China.

• 智 (zhì): This character means “wisdom,” “intelligence,” or “clever.” It's composed of 知 (zhī, to know) and 日 (rì, sun), suggesting knowledge that is as clear as day.
• 能 (néng): This character means “ability,” “capability,” or “can.” It signifies having the power or skill to do something.
• 手 (shǒu): This is a simple, pictographic character for “hand.”
• 机 (jī): This character means “machine” or “device.” It's a key component in words for many modern technologies like 飞机 (fēijī, airplane) and 电脑 (diànnǎo, computer, lit. “electric brain,” though 机 is also used).

Together, 智能 (zhìnéng) means “intelligent” or “smart.” 手机 (shǒujī) means “hand machine,” the standard word for a mobile phone. Combining them, 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī) literally means “intelligent hand machine”—a perfect description for a smartphone.

In the West, a smartphone is a hub for many different apps. In China, the 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī) is often the gateway to one or two “super-apps” that function as entire operating systems for daily life. The most critical concept to understand is the dominance of WeChat (微信 - Wēixìn) and Alipay (支付宝 - Zhīfùbǎo). A smartphone in China isn't just for calls, texts, and social media; it is your wallet, ID, train ticket, doctor's appointment book, and primary communication tool for both personal and professional life. The Western concept of “networking” by exchanging business cards is largely replaced by adding someone on WeChat. The act of paying for nearly everything, from a street vendor's snacks to utility bills, is done by scanning a QR code (扫码 - sǎo mǎ) with a smartphone. This deep integration means that not having a smartphone, or even just having a dead battery, can leave you significantly disconnected from the basic functions of society. This contrasts with the West, where cash and credit cards remain common alternatives. In China, the smartphone is not just a convenience; it's a necessity. This has given rise to the term “低头族 (dītóuzú),” the “head-down tribe,” referring to the ubiquitous sight of people absorbed in their phones.

The term 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī) is used in any context where you would say “smartphone” in English. However, in casual conversation, people often just say 手机 (shǒujī), as nearly all mobile phones are now “smart.” You would use the full term when you need to be specific, such as when comparing it to an old feature phone or discussing the technology itself.

• Shopping: When buying a new phone, you would discuss different models of 智能手机.
• Tech News: Articles and videos will use the term to talk about the latest releases from brands like Huawei (华为), Xiaomi (小米), or Apple (苹果).
• Daily Conversation: If a friend gets a new phone, you might ask, “你换新智能手机了吗？” (Nǐ huàn xīn zhìnéng shǒujī le ma? - Did you get a new smartphone?). But it would be even more natural to just ask, “你换新手机了吗？” (Nǐ huàn xīn shǒujī le ma?).

• Example 1:
  • 我刚买了一部新的智能手机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gāng mǎi le yí bù xīn de zhìnéng shǒujī.
  • English: I just bought a new smartphone.
  • Analysis: A straightforward sentence for talking about a recent purchase. The measure word for phones is 部 (bù).
• Example 2:
  • 现在，没有智能手机生活会很不方便。
  • Pinyin: Xiànzài, méiyǒu zhìnéng shǒujī shēnghuó huì hěn bù fāngbiàn.
  • English: Nowadays, life is very inconvenient without a smartphone.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly captures the cultural reality of smartphone dependency in China.
• Example 3:
  • 这款智能手机的摄像头像素很高。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn zhìnéng shǒujī de shèxiàngtóu xiàngsù hěn gāo.
  • English: This model of smartphone's camera has very high pixels.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence you might use when comparing phone features. 款 (kuǎn) is a measure word for “model” or “style.”
• Example 4:
  • 你觉得哪个牌子的智能手机最好用？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde nǎge páizi de zhìnéng shǒujī zuì hǎoyòng?
  • English: Which brand of smartphone do you think is the best to use?
  • Analysis: A great question for starting a conversation about technology and personal preferences.
• Example 5:
  • 我的智能手机没电了，我得找个充电宝。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de zhìnéng shǒujī méi diàn le, wǒ děi zhǎo ge chōngdiànbǎo.
  • English: My smartphone is out of battery, I need to find a power bank.
  • Analysis: This highlights a common anxiety in the mobile-first era and introduces the useful word 充电宝 (chōngdiànbǎo), power bank.
• Example 6:
  • 他一天到晚都在看他的智能手机。
  • Pinyin: Tā yì tiān dào wǎn dōu zài kàn tā de zhìnéng shǒujī.
  • English: He looks at his smartphone all day long.
  • Analysis: Used to describe someone who might be addicted to their phone. 一天到晚 (yì tiān dào wǎn) is a common idiom for “from morning till night.”
• Example 7:
  • 国产智能手机现在越来越受欢迎了。
  • Pinyin: Guóchǎn zhìnéng shǒujī xiànzài yuèláiyuè shòu huānyíng le.
  • English: Domestically produced smartphones are becoming more and more popular now.
  • Analysis: This reflects the rise of Chinese brands like Huawei and Xiaomi competing with international brands like Apple. 国产 (guóchǎn) means “domestically produced.”
• Example 8:
  • 奶奶终于学会了怎么使用智能手机视频聊天。
  • Pinyin: Nǎinai zhōngyú xuéhuì le zěnme shǐyòng zhìnéng shǒujī shìpín liáotiān.
  • English: Grandma finally learned how to use a smartphone to video chat.
  • Analysis: A common real-life scenario showing how technology bridges generational gaps.
• Example 9:
  • 小心！别把你的智能手机掉进水里！
  • Pinyin: Xiǎoxīn! Bié bǎ nǐ de zhìnéng shǒujī diào jìn shuǐ lǐ!
  • English: Be careful! Don't drop your smartphone in the water!
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the 把 (bǎ) construction, which is very common in Chinese to show disposal of an object.
• Example 10:
  • 这部智能手机可以解锁通过面部识别。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù zhìnéng shǒujī kěyǐ jiěsuǒ tōngguò miànbù shíbié.
  • English: This smartphone can be unlocked via facial recognition.
  • Analysis: A more technical sentence discussing a specific feature, 面部识别 (miànbù shíbié).

The most common point of confusion isn't a “false friend,” but rather knowing when to use the full, specific term versus the more common, general one.

• 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī) vs. 手机 (shǒujī)
  • Mistake: A learner might always use the full term 智能手机 in every situation because it's the direct translation of “smartphone.”
  • Correction: In 95% of daily conversations, simply saying 手机 (shǒujī) is more natural and common. Since virtually every mobile phone is a smartphone now, the “smart” part is implied.
  • Example of incorrect (but understandable) usage: “对不起，我不能接电话，我的智能手机正在充电。” (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bùnéng jiē diànhuà, wǒ de zhìnéng shǒujī zhèngzài chōngdiàn. - “Sorry, I can't answer, my smartphone is charging.”)
  • Example of natural usage: “对不起，我不能接电话，我的手机正在充电。” (Duìbuqǐ, wǒ bùnéng jiē diànhuà, wǒ de shǒujī zhèngzài chōngdiàn. - “Sorry, I can't answer, my phone is charging.”)

Use 智能手机 (zhìnéng shǒujī) when the “smart” aspect is the focus of the conversation—for example, when comparing it to an old “feature phone” (功能手机 - gōngnéng shǒujī) or discussing the evolution of mobile technology.

• 手机 (shǒujī) - Mobile phone. The general and most commonly used term.
• 刷手机 (shuā shǒujī) - To scroll/browse on one's phone. “刷” literally means “to brush” or “to swipe.”
• 扫码 (sǎo mǎ) - To scan a QR code. An essential daily activity in China.
• 低头族 (dītóuzú) - The “head-down tribe”; a colloquial term for people who are always looking down at their phones.
• 微信 (Wēixìn) - WeChat. The ubiquitous super-app for messaging, social media, payments, and more.
• 支付宝 (Zhīfùbǎo) - Alipay. The other dominant payment and lifestyle platform, owned by Alibaba.
• 应用 (yìngyòng) - Application or “app.” Often, people will simply say “APP.”
• 充电宝 (chōngdiànbǎo) - Power bank / portable charger. A lifesaver for heavy phone users.
• 华为 (Huáwéi) - Huawei, a leading Chinese telecommunications and smartphone manufacturer.
• 苹果手机 (Píngguǒ shǒujī) - Apple phone / iPhone.