bǐjìběn diànnǎo: 笔记本电脑 - Laptop, Notebook Computer

• Keywords: 笔记本电脑, bijiben diannao, laptop in Chinese, notebook computer in Chinese, how to say laptop in Mandarin, Chinese for computer, bǐjìběn, diànnǎo, learning Chinese technology words.
• Summary: Learn how to say “laptop” in Chinese with “笔记本电脑” (bǐjìběn diànnǎo). This guide breaks down the term, its cultural context in modern China, and provides 10 practical example sentences. Discover the literal meaning of “notebook electric brain” and understand how this logical compound word is a perfect example for anyone learning Mandarin vocabulary for technology and daily life.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): bǐjìběn diànnǎo
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: Components range from HSK 1-4. The full term is essential modern vocabulary.
• Concise Definition: A portable personal computer, commonly known as a laptop or notebook computer.
• In a Nutshell: This is a wonderfully logical and descriptive Chinese word. It's formed by combining the word for a paper notebook, 笔记本 (bǐjìběn), with the word for a computer, 电脑 (diànnǎo). The result literally means “notebook electric-brain,” perfectly describing what a laptop is.

• 笔 (bǐ): Pen or writing instrument. The character originally depicted a hand holding a writing brush.
• 记 (jì): To record, to note, or to remember.
• 本 (běn): Originally meant “root” of a tree, but evolved to mean “book” or serve as a measure word for books. Think of the paper pages coming from the tree.
• 电 (diàn): Electricity or electric. The character is a pictogram of lightning under a rain cloud.
• 脑 (nǎo): Brain.

These characters combine in two logical parts. First, `笔 (pen) + 记 (record) + 本 (book)` creates 笔记本 (bǐjìběn), a “notebook.” Second, `电 (electric) + 脑 (brain)` creates 电脑 (diànnǎo), a “computer.” Put them together, and you get 笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo), a “notebook computer.”

While not a term with deep ancient roots, 笔记本电脑 is culturally significant for what it represents in modern China: rapid technological adoption, mobility, and the digital transformation of society. In China, a laptop is an essential tool for almost every university student and a symbol of the modern, urban professional. The choice of laptop brand (e.g., Huawei, Lenovo, Apple, Xiaomi) can also be a subtle indicator of personal identity, tech-savviness, or even patriotism. Comparing this to the English word “laptop,” we see a difference in linguistic philosophy. “Laptop” describes *how* the device is used (on one's lap). The Chinese term 笔记本电脑 describes the device's *form and function* (a computer the size of a notebook). This focus on descriptive, logical construction is a common feature in modern Chinese vocabulary, especially for technical terms.

笔记本电脑 is the standard, universal term for a laptop and is used in all contexts, from casual conversation to technical specifications.

• Shopping: You will see this term on signs in electronics stores like Suning (苏宁) or on e-commerce platforms like Taobao (淘宝) and JD.com (京东).
• Abbreviation: In casual conversation, if the context is clear, people often shorten it to just 笔记本 (bǐjìběn). For example, if you are in an electronics store, asking “这个笔记本多少钱？” (Zhège bǐjìběn duōshǎo qián? - How much is this notebook?) clearly refers to a laptop.
• Formality: The full term 笔记本电脑 is neutral and can be used in both formal and informal situations.

• Example 1:
  • 我需要买一台新的笔记本电脑。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào mǎi yī tái xīn de bǐjìběn diànnǎo.
  • English: I need to buy a new laptop.
  • Analysis: A very common and straightforward sentence. Note the use of the measure word `台 (tái)` for machines like computers.
• Example 2:
  • 我的笔记本电脑坏了，开不了机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de bǐjìběn diànnǎo huài le, kāi bu liǎo jī.
  • English: My laptop is broken, it won't turn on.
  • Analysis: `开不了机 (kāi bu liǎo jī)` is a very useful phrase meaning “can't turn on” or “won't boot up.”
• Example 3:
  • 你通常用笔记本电脑做什么？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ tōngcháng yòng bǐjìběn diànnǎo zuò shénme?
  • English: What do you usually use your laptop for?
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates how to ask about the usage of the device. `通常 (tōngcháng)` means “usually.”
• Example 4:
  • 这款笔记本电脑很轻薄，方便携带。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn bǐjìběn diànnǎo hěn qīngbáo, fāngbiàn xiédài.
  • English: This model of laptop is very light and thin, convenient to carry.
  • Analysis: `轻薄 (qīngbáo)` is a common adjective for modern electronics meaning “light and thin.” `携带 (xiédài)` is a slightly more formal word for “carry.”
• Example 5:
  • 请把你的笔记本电脑连接到公司的Wi-Fi。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nǐ de bǐjìběn diànnǎo liánjiē dào gōngsī de Wi-Fi.
  • English: Please connect your laptop to the company's Wi-Fi.
  • Analysis: A practical sentence for a work environment. The `把 (bǎ)` structure is used to emphasize the action's effect on the object (the laptop).
• Example 6:
  • 糟糕，我忘了带笔记本电脑的充电器。
  • Pinyin: Zāogāo, wǒ wàng le dài bǐjìběn diànnǎo de chōngdiànqì.
  • English: Oh no, I forgot to bring my laptop charger.
  • Analysis: `糟糕 (zāogāo)` is a great colloquial expression for “darn it” or “oh no.” `充电器 (chōngdiànqì)` means “charger.”
• Example 7:
  • 上大学的时候，我父母给我买了一台笔记本电脑。
  • Pinyin: Shàng dàxué de shíhou, wǒ fùmǔ gěi wǒ mǎi le yī tái bǐjìběn diànnǎo.
  • English: When I started university, my parents bought me a laptop.
  • Analysis: This sentence places the action in a specific time frame, `上大学的时候 (shàng dàxué de shíhou)`.
• Example 8:
  • 你觉得哪个牌子的笔记本电脑性价比最高？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ juéde nǎge páizi de bǐjìběn diànnǎo xìngjiàbǐ zuì gāo?
  • English: Which brand of laptop do you think has the best performance-to-price ratio?
  • Analysis: `性价比 (xìngjiàbǐ)` is a crucial term in Chinese consumer culture, meaning “cost-performance ratio” or “value for money.”
• Example 9:
  • 他每天都背着沉重的笔记本电脑去上班。
  • Pinyin: Tā měi tiān dōu bēi zhe chénzhòng de bǐjìběn diànnǎo qù shàngbān.
  • English: He carries a heavy laptop on his back to work every day.
  • Analysis: The verb `背 (bēi)` means “to carry on the back,” implying he uses a backpack.
• Example 10:
  • 图书馆里，很多人都在用笔记本电脑学习。
  • Pinyin: Túshūguǎn lǐ, hěn duō rén dōu zài yòng bǐjìběn diànnǎo xuéxí.
  • English: In the library, many people are using laptops to study.
  • Analysis: This sentence paints a common scene in modern China, showing the term in a daily life context.

• Shorthand vs. Full Term: A common pitfall is misunderstanding the shorthand 笔记本 (bǐjìběn). By itself, it most commonly means a paper notebook. Context is everything.
  • Correct: `我在用笔记本电脑工作。` (Wǒ zài yòng bǐjìběn diànnǎo gōngzuò.) - I'm using a laptop to work.
  • Ambiguous: `我买了一个新笔记本。` (Wǒ mǎi le yī ge xīn bǐjìběn.) - This could mean a laptop OR a paper notebook. If you're in an Apple Store, it's a laptop. If you're in a stationery shop, it's a paper notebook. When in doubt, use the full term 笔记本电脑 to be clear.
• “False Friend” - Avoid Direct Translation: Do not literally translate “laptop” from English.
  • Incorrect: `我的膝上电脑` (wǒ de xīshàng diànnǎo). While `膝上 (xīshàng)` means “on the lap,” this term sounds very strange and is not used in Mandarin.
  • Correct: `我的笔记本电脑` (wǒ de bǐjìběn diànnǎo). Always use the standard term.

• 电脑 (diànnǎo) - The general word for “computer.” 笔记本电脑 is a type of 电脑.
• 台式电脑 (táishì diànnǎo) - Desktop computer. (Lit: “platform-style electric brain”). The direct counterpart to a laptop.
• 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo) - Tablet computer (e.g., an iPad). (Lit: “flat-board electric brain”).
• 手机 (shǒujī) - Mobile phone. (Lit: “hand machine”). Another essential piece of personal technology.
• 充电器 (chōngdiànqì) - Charger. (Lit: “charge-electricity-device”). Essential for your laptop!
• 键盘 (jiànpán) - Keyboard.
• 鼠标 (shǔbiāo) - Computer mouse. (Lit: “mouse pointer”).
• 上网 (shàngwǎng) - To go online; to surf the internet. An action you perform with a 笔记本电脑.