jīqìrén: 机器人 - Robot, Bot
Quick Summary
- Keywords: jīqìrén, jiqiren, 机器人, Chinese robot, robot in Chinese, AI in China, Chinese bot, what is a chatbot in Chinese, automation in China
- Summary: Learn the meaning and usage of 机器人 (jīqìrén), the Chinese word for “robot.” This guide explores everything from its literal meaning of “machine person” to its modern applications in China's booming tech industry, including industrial robots, service bots, and online chatbots. Discover how to use the term in everyday conversation, understand its cultural significance in a tech-forward society, and see practical examples that will help you master this essential HSK 4 vocabulary word.
Core Meaning
- Pinyin (with tone marks): jīqìrén
- Part of Speech: Noun
- HSK Level: HSK 4
- Concise Definition: A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, especially one programmable by a computer.
- In a Nutshell: 机器人 (jīqìrén) is the direct and universal Chinese word for “robot.” It's a wonderfully logical term, literally combining “machine” (`机器`) and “person” (`人`). It covers everything from physical, industrial robots on an assembly line to the digital “bots” you encounter in customer service chats online.
Character Breakdown
- 机 (jī): This character is associated with machines, engines, or mechanisms. Think of it as the “machine” or “mechanical” part.
- 器 (qì): This character means device, tool, or instrument. It reinforces the idea of a manufactured object with a specific function.
- 人 (rén): This character simply means “person” or “human.” Its shape is a simple pictogram of a walking person.
When combined, `机器 (jīqì)` forms the word “machine.” Adding `人 (rén)` at the end literally creates “machine person,” a perfect and intuitive translation for the concept of a “robot.”
Cultural Context and Significance
Unlike ancient terms rooted in Chinese philosophy, 机器人 (jīqìrén) is a modern word, but its cultural significance is immense in 21st-century China. In Western culture, particularly American sci-fi, robots are often depicted with a degree of caution or fear—themes of rebellion, job displacement, and dystopian futures (e.g., *The Terminator*, *I, Robot*) are common. While these concerns exist in China, the overarching public and governmental attitude is one of pragmatic optimism and national pride. The 机器人 symbolizes China's ambition to become a global leader in technology, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI). The government heavily promotes the development and adoption of robotics to boost economic efficiency and solve demographic challenges, like an aging population. Therefore, seeing robots in restaurants, delivering packages, or assisting in hospitals is often viewed less as a threat and more as a sign of progress and modernity. The term is tied to the national narrative of technological rejuvenation and self-reliance.
Practical Usage in Modern China
机器人 (jīqìrén) is used in a wide range of contexts, from highly technical to casual and even figurative.
- Industrial and Commercial: This is the most common usage, referring to robots in factories, warehouses, and logistics. For example, an `工业机器人 (gōngyè jīqìrén)` is an “industrial robot.”
- Service and Domestic: This includes robots that interact with people, such as `扫地机器人 (sǎodì jīqìrén)` (robot vacuum cleaner) or robots that greet customers in a bank.
- Digital and Online (Bots): The term is used for software-based robots, especially `聊天机器人 (liáotiān jīqìrén)`, or “chatbots,” which are extremely common in Chinese customer service apps like WeChat and Taobao.
- Figurative Meaning: Just like in English, you can call a person a 机器人 to imply they are emotionless, work mechanically without thinking, or just follow orders. It usually carries a slightly negative or critical connotation in this context.
Example Sentences
- Example 1:
- 这部科幻电影里有很多聪明的机器人。
- Pinyin: Zhè bù kēhuàn diànyǐng lǐ yǒu hěn duō cōngmíng de jīqìrén.
- English: There are many intelligent robots in this sci-fi movie.
- Analysis: A straightforward, literal use of the word in the context of entertainment.
- Example 2:
- 我们工厂最近引进了几台新的工业机器人来提高效率。
- Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngchǎng zuìjìn yǐnjìn le jǐ tái xīn de gōngyè jīqìrén lái tígāo xiàolǜ.
- English: Our factory recently brought in several new industrial robots to increase efficiency.
- Analysis: This example shows the term used in a specific, technical context (industrial robots). Note the measure word `台 (tái)` is often used for machines.
- Example 3:
- 我家的扫地机器人每天都会自己打扫房间。
- Pinyin: Wǒjiā de sǎodì jīqìrén měitiān dūhuì zìjǐ dǎsǎo fángjiān.
- English: My robot vacuum cleaner cleans the room by itself every day.
- Analysis: A very common, everyday example of a domestic robot. `扫地 (sǎodì)` means “to sweep the floor.”
- Example 4:
- 你每天就是上班、下班,像个机器人一样,太没意思了。
- Pinyin: Nǐ měitiān jiùshì shàngbān, xiàbān, xiàng ge jīqìrén yīyàng, tài méi yìsi le.
- English: You just go to work and get off work every day, like a robot; it's so boring.
- Analysis: This demonstrates the figurative use of the word to describe a person with a monotonous, mechanical lifestyle.
- Example 5:
- 这家银行的客服是机器人还是真人?我分不清。
- Pinyin: Zhè jiā yínháng de kèfú shì jīqìrén háishì zhēnrén? Wǒ fēn bù qīng.
- English: Is this bank's customer service a bot or a real person? I can't tell.
- Analysis: A very modern and practical question, highlighting the rise of AI chatbots (`聊天机器人`) in customer service.
- Example 6:
- 这个小孩的生日礼物是一个会跳舞的机器人玩具。
- Pinyin: Zhège xiǎohái de shēngrì lǐwù shì yī ge huì tiàowǔ de jīqìrén wánjù.
- English: This child's birthday present is a toy robot that can dance.
- Analysis: Shows the usage of the term for toys.
- Example 7:
- 发展机器人技术是国家重要的战略之一。
- Pinyin: Fāzhǎn jīqìrén jìshù shì guójiā zhòngyào de zhànlüè zhīyī.
- English: Developing robotics technology is one of the country's important strategies.
- Analysis: This sentence reflects the official, governmental context of robotics in China's national plan.
- Example 8:
- 在未来,送货机器人可能会变得非常普遍。
- Pinyin: Zài wèilái, sònghuò jīqìrén kěnéng huì biànde fēicháng pǔbiàn.
- English: In the future, delivery robots might become very common.
- Analysis: This points to emerging technologies and how the term is used to discuss future possibilities. `送货 (sònghuò)` means “to deliver goods.”
- Example 9:
- 这篇文章是由机器人自动生成的吗?
- Pinyin: Zhè piān wénzhāng shì yóu jīqìrén zìdòng shēngchéng de ma?
- English: Was this article automatically generated by a bot?
- Analysis: This refers to AI content generation, a very current topic. It shows how 机器人 can refer to a non-physical, software-based agent.
- Example 10:
- 他工作非常专注,一丝不苟,简直就是个工作机器人。
- Pinyin: Tā gōngzuò fēicháng zhuānzhù, yīsībùgǒu, jiǎnzhí jiùshì ge gōngzuò jīqìrén.
- English: He is extremely focused and meticulous at work, he's simply a work robot.
- Analysis: Another figurative example, but this one is more neutral or even slightly positive, emphasizing efficiency and precision rather than a lack of emotion.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
- Mistake 1: Confusing `机器人 (jīqìrén)` with `机器 (jīqì)`.
- `机器 (jīqì)` means “machine” in general. A car engine, a washing machine, or a computer are all `机器`.
- `机器人 (jīqìrén)` specifically refers to a “robot,” a machine that has some level of automation, intelligence, or human-like characteristics. You would not call a simple toaster a `机器人`.
- Incorrect: 我的洗衣机是一个很好的机器人。 (Wǒ de xǐyījī shì yī ge hěn hǎo de jīqìrén.) → My washing machine is a good robot.
- Correct: 我的洗衣机是一台很好的机器。 (Wǒ de xǐyījī shì yī tái hěn hǎo de jīqì.) → My washing machine is a good machine.
- Nuance: Figurative vs. Literal.
- As shown in the examples, calling a person a `机器人` can be an insult (implying they're boring and emotionless) or a neutral/positive comment (implying they're efficient and precise). The context and tone are crucial for understanding the intended meaning. For a beginner, it's safest to stick to the literal meaning.
Related Terms and Concepts
- 人工智能 (réngōng zhìnéng) - Artificial Intelligence (AI). The software “brain” that powers modern, intelligent robots.
- 机器 (jīqì) - Machine. The base word of `机器人`, referring to any kind of machinery.
- 自动化 (zìdònghuà) - Automation. The process that robots are designed to perform.
- 无人机 (wúrénjī) - Drone (lit. “unmanned machine/aircraft”). A specific and very popular type of flying robot.
- 安卓 (ānzhuó) - Android. The phonetic loanword for both the Android operating system and a humanoid robot.
- 聊天机器人 (liáotiān jīqìrén) - Chatbot. A very specific term for a robot you can chat with online.
- 机械 (jīxiè) - Machinery; mechanical. An adjective or noun used to describe things related to machines.
- 服务员 (fúwùyuán) - Waiter/attendant. The human role that service robots are sometimes designed to supplement or replace.