表情符号
biǎo qíng fú hào
The English word 'emoji' is translated into Chinese as 表情符号 (biǎo qíng fú hào).
表情符号 is the standard term for a digital graphic icon or emoji. In casual digital contexts, people often shorten this to 表情 to mean either 'expression' or 'emoji'. Additionally, the term 表情包 is very common when referring specifically to sets of stickers or meme images used in chat applications like WeChat.
Meaning: digital graphic icon (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 表情符号 is composed of 表情 (biǎoqíng), meaning 'facial expression' and 符号 (fúhào), meaning 'symbol'.
Which one should you use?
表情符号 refers to the standard Unicode emojis. In contrast, 表情包 is used to refer to sticker packs or collections of meme images found in messaging apps. The shortened form 表情 is used in colloquial, casual digital settings.
How do you pronounce it?
biǎo qíng fú hào
Did you know?
- The word 表情 can be used as a verb in digital slang, where 发表情 means to send an emoji to avoid using words during an awkward conversation.
- If you ask for a 表情 in a restaurant, you might receive a face instead of a digital icon, as the word is used for a person's look or countenance.
- The word 符号 in 表情符号 is the same word used for mathematical symbols or punctuation marks.
Examples in context
- 我最喜欢用表情符号来传达我的情感。I love using emojis to express my emotions.
- 她每天都会发表情包给朋友们。She sends emojis to her friends every day.
- 这个表情符号很可爱。Zhège biǎoqíng fúhào hěn kě'ài.This emoji is very cute.
- 你会用各种表情符号吗？Nǐ huì yòng gèzhǒng biǎoqíng fúhào ma?Do you know how to use various emojis?
- 我喜欢这个笑脸表情符号。Wǒ xǐhuān zhège xiàoliǎn biǎoqíng fúhào.I like this smiley face emoji.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a text message.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你看这个表情符号像什么？Yǔtíng, nǐ kàn zhège biǎoqíng fúhào xiàng shénme?Yuting, what does this emoji look like to you?
- 雨婷 Yuting志强，我觉得它像一个小太阳。Zhìqiáng, wǒ juéde tā xiàng yīgè xiǎo tàiyáng.Zhiqiang, I think it looks like a little sun.
- 志强 Zhiqiang我也这么觉得，很有趣。Wǒ yě zhème juéde, hěn yǒuqù.I think so too, it's very interesting.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也喜欢用这个表情符号。Wǒ yě xǐhuān yòng zhège biǎoqíng fúhào.I also like using this emoji.
