====== wǎngzhǐ: 网址 - Website Address, URL ====== ===== Quick Summary ===== * **Keywords:** wangzhi Chinese, 网址 meaning, how to say website in Chinese, how to say URL in Chinese, Chinese word for website address, what does wang zhi mean, 网址 pinyin, website, URL, web address, link * **Summary:** Discover the meaning of **网址 (wǎngzhǐ)**, the essential Chinese word for a **website address** or **URL**. This page breaks down how the characters for 'net' (网) and 'address' (址) combine to form this modern, practical term. Learn how to ask for a **link in Chinese**, understand its use in everyday digital life, and master example sentences. If you've ever wondered **how to say 'URL' or 'website address' in Chinese**, this guide to **网址 (wǎngzhǐ)** is your complete resource. ===== Core Meaning ===== * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** wǎngzhǐ * **Part of Speech:** Noun * **HSK Level:** HSK 4 * **Concise Definition:** A website address or Uniform Resource Locator (URL). * **In a Nutshell:** 网址 (wǎngzhǐ) is the direct and universal Chinese equivalent of "website address" or "URL." It's a highly logical compound word that literally means "net address." In today's digital world, it's an indispensable term you'll hear and use constantly when talking about the internet, from sharing links with friends to typing an address into a browser. ===== Character Breakdown ===== * **网 (wǎng):** This character originally depicted a fishing net. Over time, its meaning expanded to any kind of network. With the advent of the internet, it became the standard character for "net" in a digital sense, as seen in words like [[互联网]] (hùliánwǎng - Internet). * **址 (zhǐ):** This character means "address," "location," or "site." It's composed of the radical 土 (tǔ), meaning "earth" or "ground," and 止 (zhǐ), which provides the sound and originally meant "foot" or "to stop," implying a specific stopping place on the ground. * Together, 网址 (wǎngzhǐ) forms a perfect semantic construction: "net" + "address." It's a clear, modern term created to describe a location on the world wide web. ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== The term 网址 is not deeply rooted in ancient Chinese philosophy but is a perfect example of how the Chinese language adapts to modern technology. Its significance lies in its ubiquity and how it reflects China's complete integration into the global digital landscape. While English speakers might distinguish between "URL," "web address," or "link" depending on the context, 网址 is a more all-encompassing, everyday term. For example, if you want someone to send you the "link" to an article, you would most commonly ask them to send the "网址". The Western concept might be slightly more technical, with "URL" being the precise term and "link" or "address" being common simplifications. In Chinese, 网址 serves as the primary, go-to word for all of these in most non-technical conversations. It highlights a practical, function-first approach to language in the digital age. Its widespread use, from children to the elderly, demonstrates the deep penetration of the internet into every facet of modern Chinese society. ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== 网址 is a neutral term used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal business and technical documents. * **In Daily Conversation:** People use it to ask for or share website addresses for e-commerce, news, social media, etc. "What's the address for that restaurant's website?" or "Send me the link." * **In Business:** When exchanging company information, asking for the "公司网址" (gōngsī wǎngzhǐ - company website address) is standard practice. * **On Social Media:** Sharing a 网址 on platforms like WeChat (微信) or Weibo (微博) is a daily activity. You might say "I'm sending you the URL" (我发给你网址). * **Technical Contexts:** In web development or IT, it is used with the same precision as "URL" in English. ===== Example Sentences ===== * **Example 1:** * 请把你们公司的**网址**发给我。 * Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ nǐmen gōngsī de **wǎngzhǐ** fā gěi wǒ. * English: Please send me your company's website address. * Analysis: A very common and polite business request. The 把 (bǎ) structure is often used for sending or manipulating objects, including digital ones like a 网址. * **Example 2:** * 这个**网址**好像打不开了。 * Pinyin: Zhège **wǎngzhǐ** hǎoxiàng dǎ bù kāi le. * English: It seems this URL can't be opened. * Analysis: "打不开" (dǎ bù kāi) is the standard phrase for when a website, file, or application fails to load or open. * **Example 3:** * 你可以直接点击这个**网址**。 * Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ zh