Chinese Word
Archive
← Today's word Archive
noun HSK 4
Traditional 軟件
ruǎn jiàn
software · computer program

Meaning

软件 refers to computer software or programs, as opposed to hardware (硬件). It encompasses all non-physical components of a computer system, including applications, operating systems, and digital tools.

Usage

Commonly used in technology contexts and everyday conversation about computers and smartphones. Often paired with 硬件 (hardware) to distinguish between physical and non-physical computer components. In Taiwan, 软体 (ruǎn tǐ) is more commonly used than 软件.

Examples

  1. 01
    这个软件很好用，界面也很简洁。
    Zhège ruǎn jiàn hěn hǎo yòng, jiè miàn yě hěn jiǎn jié.
    This software is very easy to use, and the interface is also very clean.
  2. 02
    我弟弟是一名软件工程师，在互联网公司工作。
    Wǒ dìdi shì yī míng ruǎn jiàn gōng chéng shī, zài hù lián wǎng gōng sī gōng zuò.
    My younger brother is a software engineer and works at an internet company.

Characters

Measure words

  • 个gè一个软件
  • 款kuǎn一款软件

Common collocations

  • 软件开发
    ruǎn jiàn kāi fā
    software development
  • 软件工程师
    ruǎn jiàn gōng chéng shī
    software engineer
  • 应用软件
    yìng yòng ruǎn jiàn
    application software
  • 安装软件
    ān zhuāng ruǎn jiàn
    to install software

Antonyms

Origin

Literally means 'soft item,' coined as a calque to contrast with 硬件 (hardware, 'hard item'). The metaphor distinguishes intangible programs from tangible physical components.

Related