默认
mòrèn
In Mandarin, the word for 'default' in the context of electronics and computing is 默认 (mòrèn).
In computing, 默认 is used both as a noun to refer to the original settings and as a verb to mean defaulting to a specific setting. If you want to specifically say 'default settings', you can use the phrase 默认设置 by adding 设置 (shèzhì), which means 'settings', to the end of the word.
Meaning: electronics, computing: original settings (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 默 (mò), meaning 'silent' or 'tacit' and 认 (rèn), meaning 'to recognize' or 'to acknowledge'.
How do you pronounce it?
mòrèn
Did you know?
- While English uses 'default' for both technology and failing to pay a debt, Mandarin uses two completely different terms. To describe a computer's 'default' setting, you use 默认, but to say someone 'defaulted' on a loan, you must use 违约, which means 'breaking a contract'.
- The word 默认 is used for both 'default settings' and 'tacitly agreeing' to something. If someone suggests a plan and you do not object, you are said to have 默认 the proposal.
- The character 默 in 默认 is also found in the word 沉默, which means 'silence'. This connects the digital idea of a 'default' setting to the concept of something happening quietly in the background.
Examples in context
- 請將所有欄位保留為預設值。Please keep all fields as default values.
- 这是系统的默认设置。Zhè shì xìtǒng de mòrèn shèzhì.This is the system's default setting.
- 请使用默认值。Qǐng shǐyòng mòrèn zhí.Please use the default value.
- 你可以恢复到默认状态。Nǐ kěyǐ huīfù dào mòrèn zhuàngtài.You can restore it to the default state.
Example conversation
Two people are setting up a new computer together.
- 俊杰 Junjie佳怡，你要更改默认字体吗？Jiāyí, nǐ yào gēnggǎi mòrèn zìtǐ ma?Jiayi, do you want to change the default font?
- 佳怡 Jiayi不用，默认的就很好。Bùyòng, mòrèn de jiù hěn hǎo.No need, the default one is fine.
- 俊杰 Junjie那我直接保存默认设置了。Nà wǒ zhíjiē bǎocún mòrèn shèzhì le.Then I'll just save the default settings.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好的，俊杰，麻烦你了。Hǎo de, Jùnjié, máfan nǐ le.Okay, Junjie, thanks for your help.
