Meaning
电脑 is the standard Mandarin word for computer. It literally means 'electric brain' and refers to desktop computers, laptops, and personal computers in general. This term was coined when computers were first introduced to China, using existing Chinese characters to create a descriptive compound word.
Usage
电脑 is used in everyday conversation and is completely neutral in register. Mainland China uses 电脑 almost exclusively, while Taiwan sometimes uses 计算机 (jìsuànjī) in formal contexts, though 电脑 is still very common. When specifying types, natives say 台式电脑 (desktop) or 笔记本电脑 (laptop).
Examples
- 01我每天用电脑工作。.I use a computer to work every day.
- 02这台电脑是去年买的。.This computer was bought last year.
Characters
Measure words
- 台一台电脑
- 部两部电脑
Common collocations
- 玩电脑to use/play on the computer
- 电脑游戏computer game
- 笔记本电脑laptop computer
- 台式电脑desktop computer
Origin
Created as a calque when computers entered Chinese-speaking regions, combining 电 (electricity) and 脑 (brain) to describe a machine that processes information like a human brain but powered by electricity.