diànnǎo: 电脑 - Computer

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• Summary: The Chinese word for computer is 电脑 (diànnǎo), which literally translates to “electric brain.” It is the universal term for computers, including desktops and laptops, and is a fundamental vocabulary word for any Mandarin learner (HSK Level 1). Understanding 电脑 is essential for navigating modern life in China, from work and study to entertainment and social media. This page explores its literal meaning, cultural impact, and practical daily usage.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): diànnǎo
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 1
• Concise Definition: An electronic machine that can store and work with large amounts of information; a computer.
• In a Nutshell: 电脑 (diànnǎo) is the standard, everyday word for “computer” in Mandarin Chinese. Its genius lies in its logical construction: 电 (diàn) meaning “electric” and 脑 (nǎo) meaning “brain.” So, a computer is simply an “electric brain.” This term covers all types of personal computers, from desktops at the office to the laptop you use for studying.

• 电 (diàn): This character means “electricity.” It can be pictured as lightning (申) streaking down from the sky or clouds. It's a fundamental component in many modern words, like 电话 (diànhuà - telephone) and 电视 (diànshì - television).
• 脑 (nǎo): This character means “brain.” The left part (月) is a radical that often relates to parts of the body (it's a form of 肉, ròu - flesh/meat). The right side provides the sound.
• Together, 电脑 (diànnǎo) creates a vivid and intuitive image: an “electric brain.” This logical, descriptive nature makes the word very easy for learners to remember.

While “computer” is a universal modern concept, its role and perception in China have a unique context. China's digital revolution happened at a breathtaking pace. For many older Chinese, the 电脑 represents a massive leap from a non-digital world to a hyper-connected one within a single generation. In the 2000s and early 2010s, internet cafes, or 网吧 (wǎngbā), were bustling social hubs where young people gained their first access to the internet, played games, and socialized online. The 电脑 was the gateway to this new world. A key difference compared to the West is China's “mobile-first” trajectory. While personal computers are common in offices and for specific tasks like gaming or design, many Chinese people, especially the younger generation, perform the majority of their daily digital tasks—shopping, paying bills, social media, watching videos—on their 手机 (shǒujī - mobile phone). Therefore, while a Westerner might assume “doing work” or “going online” happens on a laptop, in China, the default device for these activities is often a smartphone. The 电脑 is still essential, but it doesn't hold the same monopoly on digital life as it once did in the West.

电脑 (diànnǎo) is a neutral term used in all contexts, from casual conversation to formal business presentations.

It's the go-to word for any general-purpose computer. You use it when you're not specifying the type. The common measure word for a computer is 台 (tái).

• `一台电脑 (yī tái diànnǎo)` - a computer
• `用电脑 (yòng diànnǎo)` - to use a computer
• `开/关电脑 (kāi/guān diànnǎo)` - to turn on/off the computer

While 电脑 is the general term, you can be more specific:

• 笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo): Laptop computer (lit. “notebook electric brain”). In conversation, this is often shortened to just 笔记本 (bǐjìběn).
• 台式电脑 (táishì diànnǎo): Desktop computer (lit. “desk-style electric brain”). This is often shortened to 台式机 (táishìjī).
• 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo): Tablet computer (lit. “flat-panel electric brain”). Often shortened to 平板 (píngbǎn).

• Example 1:
  • 我的电脑坏了，需要修理。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de diànnǎo huài le, xūyào xiūlǐ.
  • English: My computer is broken, it needs to be repaired.
  • Analysis: A very common and practical sentence. `坏了 (huài le)` is the standard way to say something is broken or has malfunctioned.
• Example 2:
  • 我每天都用电脑工作。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān dōu yòng diànnǎo gōngzuò.
  • English: I use a computer for work every day.
  • Analysis: The structure `用 + [Tool] + [Verb]` is very common. Here, the computer is the tool used for the action of working.
• Example 3:
  • 你能帮我看一下这台电脑吗？它有点慢。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ kàn yīxià zhè tái diànnǎo ma? Tā yǒudiǎn màn.
  • English: Can you help me take a look at this computer? It's a bit slow.
  • Analysis: `台 (tái)` is the proper measure word for computers. `看一下 (kàn yīxià)` means “to take a quick look,” a polite and common way to ask for help.
• Example 4:
  • 我想买一台新的笔记本电脑。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī tái xīn de bǐjìběn diànnǎo.
  • English: I want to buy a new laptop.
  • Analysis: This example shows the full term for laptop, `笔记本电脑`. In casual speech, you could just say `笔记本`.
• Example 5:
  • 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 sentence uses the `把 (bǎ)` construction to emphasize the action's effect on the object (the file).
• Example 6:
  • 他很擅长玩电脑游戏。
  • Pinyin: Tā hěn shàncháng wán diànnǎo yóuxì.
  • English: He is very good at playing computer games.
  • Analysis: 电脑游戏 (diànnǎo yóuxì) is the specific term for “computer games,” as opposed to `手机游戏 (shǒujī yóuxì)` (mobile games).
• Example 7:
  • 离开办公室前，请记得关电脑。
  • Pinyin: Líkāi bàngōngshì qián, qǐng jìdé guān diànnǎo.
  • English: Before leaving the office, please remember to turn off your computer.
  • Analysis: `关 (guān)` means “to close” or “to turn off,” and is the opposite of `开 (kāi)`, to open or turn on.
• Example 8:
  • 这家公司的每位员工都有一台电脑。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī de měi wèi yuángōng dōu yǒu yī tái diànnǎo.
  • English: Every employee in this company has a computer.
  • Analysis: Notice the measure word `位 (wèi)`, a polite measure word for people, used for `员工 (yuángōng)`, employee.
• Example 9:
  • 你的电脑密码是什么？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de diànnǎo mìmǎ shì shénme?
  • English: What is your computer password?
  • Analysis: `密码 (mìmǎ)` means “password” (lit. “secret code”). A very useful modern vocabulary word.
• Example 10:
  • 我在电脑上看到了这个新闻。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zài diànnǎo shàng kàn dào le zhège xīnwén.
  • English: I saw this news on the computer.
  • Analysis: The structure `在 [Device] 上 (zài… shàng)` means “on [Device],” similar to English. You can swap `电脑` with `手机 (shǒujī)` or `电视 (diànshì)`.

• 电脑 (diànnǎo) vs. 计算机 (jìsuànjī): This is the most important distinction.
  • 电脑 (diànnǎo): The universal, everyday word for “computer.” You should use this 99% of the time in conversation.
  • 计算机 (jìsuànjī): A formal, technical term that literally means “calculating machine.” It is used in academic and technical contexts, such as “Computer Science” (`计算机科学 - jìsuànjī kēxué`) or when referring to supercomputers. Calling your laptop a `计算机` would sound overly formal and unnatural, like calling your car an “automobile” in a casual chat.
• Forgetting the Measure Word: A common beginner mistake is to say `一个电脑 (yī gè diànnǎo)`. While understandable, the correct and more native-sounding measure word is 台 (tái). Always say `一台电脑 (yī tái diànnǎo)`.
• Assuming “Computer” is the Default: As mentioned in the cultural context, don't assume a task is done on a 电脑. In modern China, the default device for many things (like messaging, payment, and browsing) is the 手机 (shǒujī).

• 手机 (shǒujī) - Mobile phone. In many ways, the primary “computer” for daily life in modern China.
• 笔记本 (bǐjìběn) - Notebook. The common shorthand for `笔记本电脑` (laptop computer).
• 台式机 (táishìjī) - Desktop computer. A more specific term for a non-portable PC.
• 上网 (shàng wǎng) - To go online; to surf the internet. A primary activity done on a 电脑.
• 计算机 (jìsuànjī) - The formal, academic, or technical term for “computer.”
• 键盘 (jiànpán) - Keyboard. An essential peripheral for a 电脑.
• 鼠标 (shǔbiāo) - Mouse. Its name literally means “mouse” or “rat” (`鼠`) + “marker” (`标`).
• 软件 (ruǎnjiàn) - Software (lit. “soft item”).
• 硬件 (yìngjiàn) - Hardware (lit. “hard item”).
• 网吧 (wǎngbā) - Internet cafe. A place with many public-use 电脑.