计算机 (jì suàn jī)

noun HSK 4

Traditional 計算機

jì suàn jī

computer · calculating machine

Meaning

计算机 is the formal Mandarin term for 'computer,' literally meaning 'calculating machine.' It's composed of 计算 (to calculate) and 机 (machine). While this is the standard term in formal contexts, mainland Chinese speakers often use the colloquial term 电脑 (diànnǎo, 'electric brain') in everyday conversation.

Usage

计算机 is more common in formal writing, technical contexts, academic settings, and official documents. In casual speech, most mainland Chinese prefer 电脑. You'll see 计算机 in contexts like 计算机科学 (computer science), 计算机技术 (computer technology), and professional IT discourse. Taiwan tends to use 电脑 more universally.

Examples

01
他在大学学习计算机科学。
Tā zài dà xué xué xí jì suàn jī kē xué.
He studies computer science at university.
02
这家公司专门生产高性能计算机。
Zhè jiā gōng sī zhuān mén shēng chǎn gāo xìng néng jì suàn jī.
This company specializes in producing high-performance computers.

Characters

Measure words

台tái一台计算机
部bù两部计算机

Common collocations

计算机科学
jì suàn jī kē xué
computer science
计算机技术
jì suàn jī jì shù
computer technology
计算机系统
jì suàn jī xì tǒng
computer system
计算机网络
jì suàn jī wǎng luò
computer network

Origin

The term 计算机 was coined in the mid-20th century as a direct translation of 'computer,' emphasizing its function as a calculating device. The word builds on 计算 (calculation), a traditional Chinese term, combined with 机 (machine).