电脑

diànnǎo: 电脑 - Computer

Quick Summary

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  • Summary: Discover the meaning of 电脑 (diànnǎo), the essential Chinese word for “computer.” Literally translating to “electric brain,” this term is a fundamental part of modern Chinese vocabulary and one of the first nouns you'll learn. This guide breaks down its characters, cultural relevance, and practical usage with over 10 example sentences, helping you master how to talk about technology in Mandarin.

Core Meaning

  • Pinyin (with tone marks): diànnǎo
  • Part of Speech: Noun
  • HSK Level: HSK 1
  • Concise Definition: An electronic computer.
  • In a Nutshell: 电脑 (diànnǎo) is the standard, everyday word for “computer” in Mandarin Chinese. Its genius lies in its literal meaning: “electric brain.” This makes it incredibly intuitive and easy to remember for learners. It's a catch-all term for desktops, laptops, and any general-purpose computing device.

Character Breakdown

  • 电 (diàn): This character means “electric,” “electricity,” or “lightning.” It's a foundational component for many modern technological terms, such as 电话 (diànhuà, telephone) and 电视 (diànshì, television).
  • 脑 (nǎo): This character simply means “brain.” The left part (月) is a radical often related to parts of the body (it's a form of 肉, ròu, “flesh”).
  • When combined, 电 (diàn) + 脑 (nǎo) literally and logically form “electric brain,” a perfect and vivid description of what a computer does.

Cultural Context and Significance

  • A Window into Modern Chinese Vocabulary: The term 电脑 (diànnǎo) is a prime example of how modern Chinese creates new words for new technologies. Instead of transliterating a foreign word (like “computer”), the language often combines existing characters to create a descriptive, self-explanatory term. This “electric brain” is far more transparent than the English “computer,” which comes from the Latin computare, “to calculate.”
  • The Great Digital Leap: China's rapid technological development over the past few decades has made the 电脑 a central part of life. From sprawling internet cafes (网吧, wǎngbā) in the early 2000s to the near-universal adoption of computers in schools and offices, the 电脑 symbolizes China's modernization and integration into the global digital economy. While the smartphone (手机, shǒujī) has become the primary device for daily tasks, the 电脑 remains essential for work, education, and gaming.

Practical Usage in Modern China

  • General and Versatile: 电脑 is used in all contexts, from casual conversation with friends to formal business presentations. It is the default term for “computer.”
  • Specifying Types: To be more specific, you add words before 电脑:
    • 笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo): Laptop computer (literally “notebook electric brain”)
    • 台式电脑 (táishì diànnǎo): Desktop computer (literally “desk-style electric brain”)
    • 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo): Tablet computer (literally “flat-board electric brain”)
  • Common Verbs: Common verbs used with 电脑 include:
    • 用电脑 (yòng diànnǎo): To use a computer
    • 玩电脑 (wán diànnǎo): To “play” on the computer (often implies games or leisure)
    • 开/关电脑 (kāi/guān diànnǎo): To turn on/off the computer
    • 买电脑 (mǎi diànnǎo): To buy a computer
    • 修电脑 (xiū diànnǎo): To repair a computer

Example Sentences

  • Example 1:
    • 我需要一台新电脑。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào yī tái xīn diànnǎo.
    • English: I need a new computer.
    • Analysis: A simple, common sentence. Note the use of the measure word 台 (tái) for machines like computers and TVs.
  • Example 2:
    • 我的电脑坏了，开不了机。
    • Pinyin: Wǒ de diànnǎo huài le, kāi bu liǎo jī.
    • English: My computer is broken, it won't turn on.
    • Analysis: 坏了 (huài le) is a very common way to say something is broken. 开不了机 (kāi bu liǎo jī) is a set phrase for “cannot boot up/turn on.”
  • Example 3:
    • 你可以用我的电脑查一下资料。
    • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ yòng wǒ de diànnǎo chá yīxià zīliào.
    • English: You can use my computer to look up some information.
    • Analysis: This shows the structure 用 (yòng) + [tool] + [verb], a very common pattern in Chinese.
  • Example 4:
    • 他整天就知道玩电脑游戏。
    • Pinyin: Tā zhěng tiān jiù zhīdào wán diànnǎo yóuxì.
    • English: All he does all day is play computer games.
    • Analysis: 玩电脑 (wán diànnǎo) often has a connotation of leisure or “messing around,” which is made explicit here with 游戏 (yóuxì), “games.”
  • Example 5:
    • 这份工作要求有熟练的电脑操作技能。
    • Pinyin: Zhè fèn gōngzuò yāoqiú yǒu shúliàn de diànnǎo cāozuò jìnéng.
    • English: This job requires proficient computer operation skills.
    • Analysis: A more formal example you might see in a job description. 电脑操作技能 (diànnǎo cāozuò jìnéng) means “computer operating skills.”
  • Example 6:
    • 别忘了关电脑！
    • Pinyin: Bié wàngle guān diànnǎo!
    • English: Don't forget to turn off the computer!
    • Analysis: 关 (guān) means “to close” or “to turn off,” the opposite of 开 (kāi), “to open” or “to turn on.”
  • Example 7:
    • 你更喜欢笔记本电脑还是台式电脑？
    • Pinyin: Nǐ gèng xǐhuān bǐjìběn diànnǎo háishì táishì diànnǎo?
    • English: Do you prefer laptop computers or desktop computers?
    • Analysis: This demonstrates how to specify different types of computers. 还是 (háishì) is used to form “or” questions.
  • Example 8:
    • 这台电脑反应太慢了。
    • Pinyin: Zhè tái diànnǎo fǎnyìng tài màn le.
    • English: This computer's response is too slow.
    • Analysis: 反应 (fǎnyìng) means “reaction” or “response.” This is a very natural way to complain about a slow computer.
  • Example 9:
    • 很多现代艺术家都用电脑来创作。
    • Pinyin: Hěn duō xiàndài yìshùjiā dōu yòng diànnǎo lái chuàngzuò.
    • English: Many modern artists use computers to create their work.
    • Analysis: This shows the versatility of the term, extending to professional and creative fields.
  • Example 10:
    • 请把文件从你的电脑发给我。
    • Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ wénjiàn cóng nǐ de diànnǎo fā gěi wǒ.
    • English: Please send the file to me from your computer.
    • Analysis: This uses the common 把 (bǎ) structure to talk about doing something to an object (the file).

Nuances and Common Mistakes

  • 电脑 (diànnǎo) vs. 计算机 (jìsuànjī):
    • 电脑 (diànnǎo) is the word used by virtually everyone in daily life.
    • 计算机 (jìsuànjī) also means “computer” (literally “calculating machine”). However, it is a very formal and technical term. You will see it in academic contexts (e.g., 计算机科学, jìsuànjī kēxué - Computer Science), official documents, or in the names of tech companies.
    • Mistake: Using 计算机 (jìsuànjī) in a casual conversation like “My 计算机 is broken” would sound unnaturally stiff and academic. Always use 电脑 (diànnǎo) for everyday speech.
  • Forgetting the Measure Word: When counting computers, don't forget the measure word 台 (tái). It's “一台电脑 (yī tái diànnǎo),” not “一个电脑 (yī gè diànnǎo).” While people will understand you if you use 个 (gè), using 台 (tái) is more correct and natural.

Related Terms and Concepts

  • 笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo) - The specific term for a laptop, literally “notebook electric brain.”
  • 手机 (shǒujī) - Mobile phone; the other essential “computer” in modern Chinese life.
  • 上网 (shàng wǎng) - To go online/use the internet. Literally “to get on the net.”
  • 网络 (wǎngluò) - The internet; network.
  • 软件 (ruǎnjiàn) - Software. Literally “soft item.”
  • 硬件 (yìngjiàn) - Hardware. Literally “hard item.”
  • 键盘 (jiànpán) - Keyboard.
  • 鼠标 (shǔbiāo) - Mouse (for a computer). Literally “mouse marker.”
  • 程序员 (chéngxùyuán) - Programmer/Coder.
  • 计算机 (jìsuànjī) - The formal, academic, or technical term for “computer.”