kōngjiānzhàn: 空间站 - Space Station

• Keywords: 空间站, kōngjiānzhàn, space station, Chinese space station, Tiangong, 天宫, China space program, learn Chinese space terms, astronaut, space exploration in Chinese
• Summary: Learn how to say “space station” in Chinese with the term 空间站 (kōngjiānzhàn). This entry breaks down the characters, explores its cultural significance in the context of China's space program and the Tiangong (天宫) station, and provides practical example sentences. Understand how this modern term reflects national pride and technological ambition in today's China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): kōngjiānzhàn
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 7-9 (Advanced)
• Concise Definition: A crewed artificial satellite designed to remain in orbit for a long period and serve as a base for scientific research.
• In a Nutshell: 空间站 (kōngjiānzhàn) is the direct and standard Mandarin Chinese word for “space station.” It's a literal and logical compound word, combining “space” with “station.” It is used to refer to any space station, including the International Space Station (ISS) and China's own Tiangong space station.

• 空 (kōng): This character's primary meanings are “sky,” “air,” and “empty.” In this context, it directly refers to outer space.
• 间 (jiān): This character means “space between,” “interval,” or “room.” When combined with 空, it forms the word 空间 (kōngjiān), which means “space” or “dimension.”
• 站 (zhàn): This character means “station” (like in 火车站 - huǒchēzhàn, train station) or “to stand.”

When combined, 空间 (kōngjiān) + 站 (zhàn) creates a very clear and logical meaning: “space” + “station” = space station.

While not a term rooted in ancient philosophy, 空间站 (kōngjiānzhàn) carries immense cultural weight in modern China. It is a powerful symbol of national pride, scientific advancement, and the “Chinese Dream” (中国梦 - Zhōngguó Mèng). The development of China's own space station, Tiangong (天宫 - “Heavenly Palace”), is a frequent topic in state media and a source of great public enthusiasm. It represents the concept of 自力更生 (zì lì gēng shēng) - “self-reliance.” While the International Space Station (ISS) is a multinational collaboration from which China was largely excluded, the Tiangong station showcases China's ability to achieve top-tier technological goals independently. In the West, the “space race” is often viewed as a historical event of the Cold War. In China, the development of their 空间站 is a very current and visible manifestation of the nation's rise as a global power. Discussing the 空间站 is not just talking about science; it's often an expression of national confidence and future ambition.

空间站 is a formal and technical term, but it's widely understood and used in everyday contexts due to its prevalence in media.

• In the News: It appears constantly in news reports about space missions, scientific discoveries, and national achievements.
• Education: It is a standard term taught in science classes from a young age.
• Casual Conversation: People use it when discussing current events, especially when new astronauts (宇航员 - yǔhángyuán) are sent to Tiangong. The tone is almost always one of positivity and pride.
• Online: The term trends on social media platforms like Weibo (微博) during launches, dockings, and spacewalks.

The connotation is overwhelmingly positive and linked to progress and national strength.

• Example 1:
  • 中国成功发射了自己的空间站。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó chénggōng fāshè le zìjǐ de kōngjiānzhàn.
  • English: China successfully launched its own space station.
  • Analysis: A straightforward sentence you would hear on the news, stating a factual achievement.
• Example 2:
  • 三名宇航员将在空间站上生活六个月。
  • Pinyin: Sān míng yǔhángyuán jiāng zài kōngjiānzhàn shàng shēnghuó liù ge yuè.
  • English: Three astronauts will live on the space station for six months.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the function of the space station as a habitat. The grammar “在…上” (zài…shàng) means “on” or “aboard.”
• Example 3:
  • 国际空间站是一个多国合作的项目。
  • Pinyin: Guójì kōngjiānzhàn shì yī ge duōguó hézuò de xiàngmù.
  • English: The International Space Station is a multinational cooperative project.
  • Analysis: This shows how the term is used for non-Chinese space stations by adding a prefix, in this case, 国际 (guójì) for “international.”
• Example 4:
  • 从空间站看地球一定很美吧？
  • Pinyin: Cóng kōngjiānzhàn kàn dìqiú yīdìng hěn měi ba?
  • English: Looking at Earth from the space station must be beautiful, right?
  • Analysis: A more conversational and speculative sentence. The particle “吧” (ba) at the end softens the tone and invites agreement.
• Example 5:
  • 科学家们在空间站里进行各种实验。
  • Pinyin: Kēxuéjiāmen zài kōngjiānzhàn lǐ jìnxíng gèzhǒng shíyàn.
  • English: Scientists conduct various experiments inside the space station.
  • Analysis: This highlights the scientific purpose of a space station. “里” (lǐ) specifies “inside.”
• Example 6:
  • 这次任务的目标是向空间站运送补给。
  • Pinyin: Zhè cì rènwù de mùbiāo shì xiàng kōngjiānzhàn yùnsòng bǔjǐ.
  • English: The goal of this mission is to deliver supplies to the space station.
  • Analysis: A typical sentence used to describe the logistics of a space mission.
• Example 7:
  • 孩子们梦想着有一天能参观空间站。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen mèngxiǎng zhe yǒu yī tiān néng cānguān kōngjiānzhàn.
  • English: The children dream of being able to visit a space station one day.
  • Analysis: This sentence captures the inspirational aspect of space exploration.
• Example 8:
  • 空间站的维护需要非常精确的技术。
  • Pinyin: Kōngjiānzhàn de wéihù xūyào fēicháng jīngquè de jìshù.
  • English: The maintenance of a space station requires very precise technology.
  • Analysis: This sentence touches upon the technical challenges involved.
• Example 9:
  • 天宫空间站代表了中国航天的新高度。
  • Pinyin: Tiāngōng kōngjiānzhàn dàibiǎo le Zhōngguó hángtiān de xīn gāodù.
  • English: The Tiangong space station represents a new height for China's space program.
  • Analysis: This sentence explicitly links the space station to national achievement and progress.
• Example 10:
  • 你看直播了吗？飞船刚刚和空间站对接成功！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kàn zhíbō le ma? Fēichuán gānggāng hé kōngjiānzhàn duìjiē chénggōng!
  • English: Did you see the live broadcast? The spacecraft just successfully docked with the space station!
  • Analysis: An excited, conversational sentence that one might send to a friend while watching a live space event.

The term 空间站 is quite specific and less prone to nuanced misunderstanding than cultural concepts. However, learners often confuse it with other space-related vehicles.

• Mistake: Using 空间站 to mean “spaceship” or “rocket.”
• Correction: 空间站 is a stationary habitat in orbit. It doesn't travel between planets or from Earth to space.
  • Spacecraft/Spaceship (for travel): 宇宙飞船 (yǔzhòu fēichuán) - literally “universe flying ship.” This is for vehicles like the Shenzhou or Soyuz.
  • Rocket (for launch): 火箭 (huǒjiàn) - literally “fire arrow.” This is the vehicle that launches things from the ground into space.
  • Space Shuttle: 航天飞机 (hángtiān fēijī) - literally “space-flight airplane.” Refers specifically to reusable spaceplanes like the American Space Shuttle.

Think of it this way: you take a 火箭 (rocket) to launch a 宇宙飞船 (spaceship), which then docks with the 空间站 (space station).

• 天宫 (Tiāngōng) - The proper name of China's space station, meaning “Heavenly Palace.”
• 宇航员 (yǔhángyuán) - The most common term for “astronaut” or “cosmonaut.” Also known as 航天员 (hángtiānyuán).
• 航天 (hángtiān) - Spaceflight; astronautics. This refers to the entire field of space travel and exploration.
• 国际空间站 (guójì kōngjiānzhàn) - The specific term for the International Space Station (ISS).
• 火箭 (huǒjiàn) - Rocket. The launch vehicle used to get to the space station.
• 宇宙飞船 (yǔzhòu fēichuán) - Spaceship/Spacecraft. The vehicle that transports astronauts to and from the station.
• 轨道 (guǐdào) - Orbit. The path the space station travels on.
• 空间 (kōngjiān) - Space. The first part of 空间站, this word by itself means “space,” “room,” or “dimension.”
• 自力更生 (zì lì gēng shēng) - A culturally significant idiom meaning “self-reliance,” often used to describe the spirit behind China's independent development of its space program.