jìshù: 技术 - Technology, Skill, Technique

• Keywords: jishu, 技术, Chinese for technology, what does jishu mean, Chinese skill, technique in Chinese, 高科技, 信息技术, Chinese tech industry, tech in China, HSK 3 vocabulary
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 技术 (jìshù), the essential Chinese word for “technology.” This comprehensive guide explains how jìshù means more than just computers and gadgets; it also covers “skill” and “technique,” applying to everything from China's high-tech ambitions to an individual's driving ability. Learn how to use jìshù correctly to discuss the Chinese tech industry, personal abilities, and the cultural importance of technical know-how in modern China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jìshù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: Technology, technique, or a specialized skill.
• In a Nutshell: 技术 (jìshù) is the go-to Chinese word for “technology” in the modern sense—think information technology, AI, and engineering. However, its meaning is broader and more grounded than the English word. It fundamentally refers to a systematic method or a specific skill used to accomplish a task. This means you can use jìshù to talk about a company's advanced production technology as well as a chef's cooking technique or a mechanic's repair skills. The common thread is a practical, applied know-how.

• 技 (jì): This character means “skill” or “ability.” It's composed of the hand radical `扌(shǒu)`, which signifies an action done with the hands, and `支 (zhī)`, which provides the sound. `技` points to a tangible, hands-on ability or craft.
• 术 (shù): This character means “method,” “technique,” or “art” (as in “the art of war”). It implies a systematic, learned approach or a specialized body of knowledge.
• Combined Meaning: When you combine the “hand-skill” of `技` with the “systematic method” of `术`, you get 技术 (jìshù). This beautifully captures the essence of the word: a practical skill that is based on a systematic method. It perfectly describes both a craftsman's technique and a scientist's technological application.

In modern China, 技术 (jìshù) is a word loaded with national significance. For decades, China's narrative has been one of catching up with and surpassing the West, and developing advanced 技术 is at the heart of this ambition. Government slogans like “科技兴国” (kējì xīngguó) - “revitalize the nation through science and technology” - are ubiquitous. This makes 技术 a keyword associated with progress, modernity, and national pride. Let's compare 技术 (jìshù) to the English word “technology.”

• In the West, “technology” can sometimes feel abstract or futuristic, referring to the entire digital ecosystem.
• 技术 (jìshù), while used for the same things, feels more concrete and practical. Because it also means “skill,” it's always tied to the idea of *application* and *competence*. You can have “good 技术” (好技术 hǎo jìshù) or “bad 技术” (技术不好 jìshù bù hǎo) in driving, programming, or even surgery. You wouldn't say “my driving technology is bad” in English; you'd say “my driving skill/technique is bad.”

This subtle difference highlights a pragmatic cultural value: 技术 is not just an abstract concept to be discussed, but a practical tool to be mastered and applied for tangible results, whether for personal improvement or national development.

技术 is an extremely common and versatile word used in many contexts.

This is its most frequent usage, directly translating to “technology.”

• 高技术 (gāo jìshù): High-tech
• 信息技术 (xìnxī jìshù): Information Technology (IT)
• 核心技术 (héxīn jìshù): Core technology
• 生物技术 (shēngwù jìshù): Biotechnology

It describes the proficiency of a person in a specific, often technical, craft or trade.

• 驾驶技术 (jiàshǐ jìshù): Driving skill/technique
• 烹饪技术 (pēngrèn jìshù): Cooking technique
• 摄影技术 (shèyǐng jìshù): Photography technique
• 他的技术很好 (tā de jìshù hěn hǎo): His skill is very good.

The connotation is almost always neutral or positive. Praising someone's 技术 is a common and sincere compliment.

Example 1: 中国的技术发展得非常快。 Pinyin: Zhōngguó de jìshù fāzhǎn de fēicháng kuài. English: China's technology is developing very fast. Analysis: A common, general statement about technology at the national level. Example 2: 我需要提高我的电脑技术。 Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào tígāo wǒ de diànnǎo jìshù. English: I need to improve my computer skills. Analysis: Here, 技术 refers to a personal, practical skill set related to computers. Example 3: 这位司机的驾驶技术真棒！ Pinyin: Zhè wèi sījī de jiàshǐ jìshù zhēn bàng! English: This driver's driving skill is awesome! Analysis: A perfect example of 技术 being used for a non-digital, everyday skill. “Skill” or “technique” is a better translation than “technology” here. Example 4: 我们公司引进了国外先进的生产技术。 Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī yǐnjìnle guówài xiānjìn de shēngchǎn jìshù. English: Our company has imported advanced production technology from abroad. Analysis: A formal, business context referring to industrial technology. Example 5: 信息技术改变了我们的生活方式。 Pinyin: Xìnxī jìshù gǎibiànle wǒmen de shēnghuó fāngshì. English: Information technology has changed our way of life. Analysis: Using the common compound noun 信息技术 (xìnxī jìshù) for IT. Example 6: 学习一门技术对找工作很有帮助。 Pinyin: Xuéxí yī mén jìshù duì zhǎo gōngzuò hěn yǒu bāngzhù. English: Learning a technical skill is very helpful for finding a job. Analysis: This highlights the “vocational skill” aspect of 技术. Note the measure word for skills, `门 (mén)`. Example 7: 这个手术对医生的技术要求很高。 Pinyin: Zhège shǒushù duì yīshēng de jìshù yāoqiú hěn gāo. English: This surgery has high requirements for the doctor's technical skill. Analysis: Shows 技术 in a highly professional and specialized context. Example 8: 华为在5G技术方面处于领先地位。 Pinyin: Huáwéi zài wǔ G jìshù fāngmiàn chǔyú lǐngxiān dìwèi. English: Huawei is in a leading position in terms of 5G technology. Analysis: A typical sentence you might read in a news article about the tech industry. Example 9: 虽然他很有天分，但是技术还需要磨练。 Pinyin: Suīrán tā hěn yǒu tiānfèn, dànshì jìshù hái xūyào móliàn. English: Although he is very talented, his technique still needs polishing. Analysis: This shows 技术 as something that can be refined and improved through practice, separate from innate talent (`天分 tiānfèn`). Example 10: 这项新技术能把生产效率提高一倍。 Pinyin: Zhè xiàng xīn jìshù néng bǎ shēngchǎn xiàolǜ tígāo yī bèi. English: This new technology can double production efficiency. Analysis: Demonstrates the practical, result-oriented nature of 技术. `项 (xiàng)` is a common measure word for technologies and projects.

A common pitfall for learners is not understanding the subtle differences between 技术, 科技, and 技巧.

• 技术 (jìshù) vs. 科技 (kējì):
  • 技术 (jìshù) is the specific technology, technique, or skill itself. It's the “tech.”
  • 科技 (kējì) is an abbreviation for `科学技术 (kēxué jìshù)`, meaning “Science and Technology.” It refers to the broader, often academic or governmental, field.
  • Example: You study the field of 科技 (kējì) at a university to learn a specific 技术 (jìshù) like programming. A government invests in 科技 (kējì) to develop new 技术 (jìshù).
• 技术 (jìshù) vs. 技巧 (jìqiǎo):
  • 技术 (jìshù) usually implies a systematic, complex, and often technical skill (e.g., engineering, surgery, programming).
  • 技巧 (jìqiǎo) refers to a “knack,” “trick,” or a clever, artful maneuver. It's more about finesse and cleverness than systematic knowledge.
  • Incorrect: 他画画的技术很好。 (Tā huàhuà de jìshù hěn hǎo.) - While not strictly wrong, it sounds a bit clunky.
  • Correct: 他画画的技巧很好。 (Tā huàhuà de jìqiǎo hěn hǎo.) - “His painting technique/skill is very good.” This is more natural as painting involves artistry and finesse.
  • Correct Usage of 技术: 修复这幅古画的技术非常复杂。(Xiūfù zhè fú gǔhuà de jìshù fēicháng fùzá.) - “The technology/technique used to restore this ancient painting is very complex.” Here, `技术` correctly refers to the scientific and chemical processes involved.

• 科技 (kējì) - The broader field of “Science and Technology.”
• 技能 (jìnéng) - A skill, often a vocational one that can be learned and certified (e.g., welding, accounting). More about a person's capability.
• 技巧 (jìqiǎo) - A knack, clever trick, or artful skill, emphasizing finesse.
• 科学 (kēxué) - Science. The theoretical foundation upon which much 技术 is built.
• 高科技 (gāo kējì) - High-tech. Often used as an adjective for companies or products.
• 工程师 (gōngchéngshī) - Engineer. A professional who designs, builds, and maintains things using 技术.
• 创新 (chuàngxīn) - Innovation. The process of creating new methods or ideas, often through new 技术.
• 工艺 (gōngyì) - Craftsmanship; process technology. Focuses on the specific methods and artistry in making something (e.g., the `工艺` of making porcelain).
• 方法 (fāngfǎ) - Method; way. A general-purpose word for how to do something; 技术 is a type of specialized `方法`.
• 能力 (nénglì) - Ability; capability. A very broad term for what someone can do; 技术 is a specific type of `能力`.