朋友圈
péngyǒuquān
In Mandarin, the term for "moments" can vary depending on the context, but the default form for the social media feature is 朋友圈 (péngyǒuquān).
The term 朋友圈 specifically refers to the 'Moments' feature on the WeChat social media platform. If you want to say you are posting something to your Moments, you use the verb fā (to send or publish) before the noun: 发朋友圈.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 朋友圈 is a compound of péngyǒu (friends) and quān (circle or ring).
Which one should you use?
While 朋友圈 refers to a social media feed, other terms are used for time-related moments. 时刻 refers to specific points in time or particular instances, and 刹那 is used to emphasize a moment that is extremely brief or fleeting. For the informal expression "a moment" or "a while", use 一会儿.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun 朋友圈 does not change its form for pluralization.
How do you pronounce it?
péngyǒuquān
Did you know?
- While 朋友圈 translates to 'friend circle', it is used as a verb phrase 刷朋友圈 (shua pengyouquan) meaning 'to scroll through Moments'. The word 刷 originally means 'to brush' or 'to scrub'.
- The word 刹那 (chànà), used for a fleeting moment, is a loanword derived from the Sanskrit word 'kṣaṇa'. It was introduced to China through Buddhist texts to describe the smallest unit of time.
- In China, 朋友圈 is often used as a professional networking tool. Many people post business advertisements or industry news to their 'friend circle' to maintain professional visibility.
Examples in context
- 我们要珍惜每一个时刻。We should cherish each and every moment.
- 刹那即永恒。A moment is eternity.
- 等我一会儿，马上回来。Wait for me a moment, I'll be right back.
- 她在朋友圈发了很多照片。Tā zài péngyǒuquān fāle hěnduō zhàopiàn.She posted many photos on her Moments.
- 我刚才看了你的朋友圈。Wǒ gāngcái kànle nǐ de péngyǒuquān.I just looked at your Moments.
- 我不经常看朋友圈。Wǒ bù jīngcháng kàn péngyǒuquān.I don't look at Moments very often.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about social media updates during a break.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你看到我发的朋友圈了吗？Nǐ kàndào wǒ fā de péngyǒuquān le ma?Did you see the Moments I posted?
- 雨婷 Yuting看到了，那张风景照很漂亮。Kàndào le, nà zhāng fēngjǐng zhào hěn piàoliang.I saw it, that landscape photo is beautiful.
- 志强 Zhiqiang谢谢，我也很喜欢那张照片。Xièxiè, wǒ yě hěn xǐhuān nà zhāng zhàopiàn.Thanks, I really like that photo too.
- 雨婷 Yuting你经常在朋友圈分享照片吗？Nǐ jīngcháng zài péngyǒuquān fēnxiǎng zhàopiàn ma?Do you often share photos on your Moments?
