手动
shǒudòng
The English word "manually" is translated into Chinese as 手动 (shǒudòng).
手动 is used to describe manual operations or actions. In technical or mechanical contexts, it is often used as an adjective before a noun, such as in the phrase 手动模式 (shǒudòng móshì), meaning "manual mode".
Meaning: by hand (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 手 (shǒu), meaning hand and 动 (dòng), meaning move or operate.
Which one should you use?
手动 is the direct antonym of 自动 (zìdòng), which means "automatic". While 手动 refers to manual operations, the term 手工 is used specifically to describe manual craftsmanship or handwork.
How do you pronounce it?
shǒudòng
Did you know?
- Chinese distinguishes between 'manual' as an action and 'manual' as a document. While 手动 describes the process, a 'user manual' is called 手册 (shǒucè), meaning 'hand book'.
- In modern Chinese slang, 手动 is sometimes used in social media to describe an action done without an automated tool. For example, users may say 手动点赞 to emphasize they are personally clicking 'like'.
- The character 手 (shǒu) is used in many idiomatic expressions to denote power or skill. For example, 手段 (shǒuduàn) literally means 'hand method' but refers to a person's tactics or schemes.
Examples in context
- 我更喜欢手动操作I prefer to do it manually
- 这个任务需要人工输入This task requires manual input
- 这件漂亮的艺术品是手工制作的This beautiful artwork was made manually
- 你需要自己做You need to do it manually
- 这个系统需要手动输入数据。Zhège xìtǒng xūyào shǒudòng shūrù shùjù.This system requires manual data entry.
- 你可以手动调整温度。Nǐ kěyǐ shǒudòng tiáozhěng wēndù.You can adjust the temperature manually.
- 由于断电，必须手动开启。Yóuyú duàndiàn, bìxū shǒudòng kāiqǐ.Due to the power outage, it must be started manually.
Example conversation
Junjie and Xiaowen are in an office looking at a new device.
- 俊杰 Junjie这台机器可以自动工作吗？Zhè tái jīqì kěyǐ zìdòng gōngzuò ma?Can this machine work automatically?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen不行，你必须手动操作。Bùxíng, nǐ bìxū shǒudòng cāozuò.No, you must operate it manually.
- 俊杰 Junjie那操作起来很麻烦吗？Nà cāozuò qǐlái hěn máfan ma?Is it very troublesome to operate?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen只要学会了，就不麻烦。Zhǐyào xuéhuì le, jiù bù máfan.As long as you learn it, it's not troublesome.
