克隆
kèlóng
The English word 'clone' is translated into Chinese as 克隆 (kèlóng).
克隆 is used to refer to a clone, a copy of something already existing. It is most frequently encountered in scientific or technical contexts, such as in the phrase 克隆技术 (kèlóng jìshù), which means 'cloning technology'.
Meaning: copy of something already existing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 克隆 (kèlóng) is a phonetic transliteration of the English word 'clone'.
Which one should you use?
While 克隆 (kèlóng) is used specifically for biological or technical cloning, 复制 (fùzhì) is the more common, general term for 'copying' or 'duplicating' documents, files or objects. To express the idea of a replica or a copy, you can use 複制品. If you are referring to knockoff or imitation products, the slang term 山寨 is used.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mandarin Chinese spoken in Taiwan, the term 複製人 is used to refer to a clone.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
kèlóng
Did you know?
- While 克隆 is a technical term, the slang 山寨 used for 'knockoffs' originally referred to 'mountain fortresses' where rebels lived outside government control.
- The term 克隆 is a phono-semantic match of the English word 'clone'. This means the characters were chosen both for their sound and their potential meaning.
- In a digital context, a person might ask you to 复制 (fùzhì) a file, but if you use 克隆 (kèlóng), you might sound like you are performing a high-level laboratory procedure.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢看关于克隆的电影。I enjoy watching movies about clones.
- 这件商品貌似山寨，可是价格相当便宜。This product seems like a knockoff, but the price is quite cheap.
- 这只是一个数字克隆。zhè zhǐ shì yī gè shù zì kè lóng.This is just a digital clone.
- 他们试图制造一个细胞克隆。tā men shì tú zhì zào yī gè xì bāo kè lóng.They are trying to create a cell clone.
- 这个软件生成的克隆并不完美。zhè gè ruǎn jiàn shēng chéng de kè lóng bìng bù wán měi.The clone generated by this software is not perfect.
Example conversation
Two researchers are discussing a biological experiment in a lab.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，这个克隆成功了吗？hào rán, zhè gè kè lóng chéng gōng le ma?Haoran, was this clone successful?
- 浩然 Haoran雨婷，结果看起来很不错。yǔ tíng, jié guǒ kàn qǐ lái hěn bù cuò.Yuting, the results look quite good.
- 雨婷 Yuting它和原始样本完全一样吗？tā hé yuán shǐ yàng běn wán quán yī yàng ma?Is it exactly the same as the original sample?
- 浩然 Haoran几乎没有任何差别。jī hū méi yǒu rèn hé chā bié.There is almost no difference at all.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 克隆, CC BY-SA 4.0.
