Table of Contents

vpn: VPN - Virtual Private Network

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

As “VPN” is a foreign acronym, it has no character breakdown. However, understanding its formal name and its common slang term is crucial for learners. Formal Name: 虚拟专用网络 (xūnǐ zhuānyòng wǎngluò)

Combined, 虚拟 (xūnǐ) means “virtual,” 专用 (zhuānyòng) means “for special/dedicated use,” and 网络 (wǎngluò) means “network.” Together, they form a perfect, literal translation of “Virtual Private Network.” Slang Term: 翻墙 (fānqiáng)

This vivid term literally means “to climb over the wall.” It paints a clear picture of what using a VPN feels like: actively circumventing a barrier—the Great Firewall—to get to the other side.

Cultural Context and Significance

The concept of the VPN is inextricably linked to the “Great Firewall of China” (防火长城 - fánghuǒ chángchéng), a government project of internet censorship and surveillance. This “wall” blocks access to thousands of foreign websites, including major search engines (Google), social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram), news outlets (The New York Times, BBC), and collaboration tools (Gmail, Slack, Dropbox). Therefore, using a VPN in China is not just a technical act; it's a significant cultural phenomenon. It divides the internet experience into two worlds: the domestic “intranet” (内网 - nèiwǎng) and the global “external net” (外网 - wàiwǎng). A useful Western comparison is the concept of “jailbreaking” an iPhone. In both cases:

This act touches upon the cultural tension between the state's value of “social harmony” (社会和谐 - shèhuì héxié) and control, and the individual's desire for global connection and unfiltered information.

Practical Usage in Modern China

In daily conversation, people rarely use the formal term “虚拟专用网络”. They will either use the acronym “VPN” directly or, more commonly, the slang term “翻墙 (fānqiáng)”.

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes