备份
bèifèn
The English word "backup" (referring to a copy of a file or record) is translated into Chinese as 备份 (bèifèn).
备份 is used to refer to a copy of a file or record. In more abstract or strategic contexts, such as referring to military reserves or secondary plans, the term 后备 is often used instead.
Meaning: copy of file or record (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 备份 is composed of 备, meaning to prepare or to back up and 份, meaning a copy or portion.
Which one should you use?
While 备份 specifically denotes a copy of data or a record, 后备 is the preferred formal term when discussing backup plans or reserves, such as in a military context.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Hokkien, the concept of a backup can be expressed using 備份.
How do you pronounce it?
The romanization is bèifèn.
Did you know?
- If you are talking about a 'backup' person, such as a substitute player in sports, you would use 替补 rather than 备份. Using 备份 for a person would sound like you are treating them as a computer file.
- In colloquial Chinese, people often use the English word 'backup' directly in tech hubs like Shenzhen or Beijing. It is common to hear 做个 backup instead of 做个备份 among programmers.
- While 备份 is for data, the term 备份计划 is rarely used for a 'backup plan'. Instead, people use 备用方案, where 备用 means 'kept in reserve' for physical or conceptual use.
Examples in context
- 数据备份Data backup
- 军事后备Military backup
- 请帮我备份这些文件Please help me back up these files.
- 他是我的备胎He is my backup.
- 我们需要更多的后备人才We need more backup talent.
- 我已经备份了我的电脑文件。I have already backed up my computer files.
- 你有备份计划吗？Do you have a backup plan?
- 我们需要备份这些重要数据。We need to back up this important data.
- 请进行数据备份。Please perform a data backup.
- 请把这个文件的备份发给我。Qǐng bǎ zhège wénjiàn de bèifèn fā gěi wǒ.Please send me the backup of this file.
- 我的数据有备份吗？Wǒ de shùjù yǒu bèifèn ma?Do I have a backup of my data?
- 你需要定期做文件备份。Nǐ xūyào dìngqī zuò wénjiàn bèifèn.You need to make file backups regularly.
Example conversation
A male and female colleague are discussing data security in an office.
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，你的文件有备份吗？Zhìqiáng, nǐ de wénjiàn yǒu bèifèn ma?Zhiqiang, do you have a backup of your files?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我刚才做了备份。Wǒ gāngcái zuòle bèifèn.I just made a backup.
- 雨婷 Yuting那就好，这样比较安全。Nà jiù hǎo, zhèyàng bǐjiào ānquán.That's good, it's safer this way.
- 志强 Zhiqiang是的，雨婷，我也这么觉得。Shì de, Yǔtíng, wǒ yě zhème juéde.Yes, Yuting, I think so too.
