Table of Contents

shǔbiāo: 鼠标 - Mouse (computer)

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

When you combine them, 鼠标 (shǔbiāo) translates to “mouse-pointer.” This perfectly describes a small, mouse-like device that controls the pointer (cursor) on the screen.

Cultural Context and Significance

The term 鼠标 (shǔbiāo) is not ancient, but its formation reveals a lot about how the modern Chinese language adapts to new technology. Instead of simply adopting the English sound “mouse” (which would be a transliteration), Chinese created a descriptive compound word, a “calque” or loan-translation. This method contrasts with other modern words like 沙发 (shāfā) for “sofa” or 咖啡 (kāfēi) for “coffee,” which are phonetic transliterations. The choice to create 鼠标 reflects a preference for logical, self-explanatory terms built from existing Chinese characters. This approach is common for tech terms, for example:

Understanding 鼠标 (shǔbiāo) is not just about learning a vocabulary word; it's a window into the clever and practical way the Chinese language integrates global concepts. It shows a value for clarity and logic, creating a word that a speaker could likely understand on first hearing, even if they'd never encountered the term before.

Practical Usage in Modern China

鼠标 (shǔbiāo) is a standard, neutral term used in all contexts, from casual chat with friends to formal IT support. There are no significant variations in formality. It's the only word you need for a computer mouse. Common collocations include:

The word can also be used colloquially to refer to the cursor on the screen, although the more technical term for the cursor is 指针 (zhǐzhēn).

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes