电子版
diàn zǐ bǎn
In Chinese, the English phrase "soft copy" is translated as 电子版 (diàn zǐ bǎn).
电子版 refers to a digital copy of a document. It is commonly used in professional and academic contexts, such as when requesting files via email or messaging apps instead of physical documents.
Meaning: digital copy of a document (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 电子版 is composed of 电子 (diànzǐ), meaning 'electronic' and 版 (bǎn), meaning 'version' or 'edition'.
Which one should you use?
While 电子版 means electronic version, it is the direct antonym of 纸质版 (zhǐzhì bǎn), which refers to a hard copy or paper version. Another related term is 电子文件, which specifically means 'electronic file'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 电子档 is often used in Taiwan or in certain mainland business contexts to refer to an electronic file.
How do you pronounce it?
diàn zǐ bǎn
Did you know?
- In mainland China, people often use the word 扫 (sǎo), which means 'to sweep', in relation to digital versions. While not part of the phrase 电子版 itself, you might hear people talk about 'sweeping' a digital copy via a QR code.
- The character 版 (bǎn) in 电子版 shares its roots with the physical woodblock printing used in ancient China. Even though the copy is now digital, the terminology still evokes the idea of a printed 'edition'.
- The word 电子 (diànzǐ), used in 电子版, is also the scientific term for an 'electron', making the phrase literally an 'electron version'.
Examples in context
- 请发给我这份文件的电子版。Qǐng fā gěi wǒ zhè fèn wénjiàn de diànzǐ bǎn.Please send me the soft copy of this document.
- 我需要一份合同的电子版。Wǒ xūyào yī fèn hétóng de diànzǐ bǎn.I need a soft copy of the contract.
- 电子版比纸质版更方便。Diànzǐ bǎn bǐ zhìzhì bǎn gèng fāngbiàn.The soft copy is more convenient than the paper version.
Example conversation
At the office, a colleague asks for a document.
- 雨婷 Yuting浩然，你有这份报告的电子版吗？Hàorán, nǐ yǒu zhè fèn bàogào de diànzǐ bǎn ma?Haoran, do you have the soft copy of this report?
- 浩然 Haoran有的，我一会儿发到你的邮箱。Yǒu de, wǒ yīhuì'er fā dào nǐ de yóuxiāng.Yes, I will send it to your email in a moment.
- 雨婷 Yuting太好了，谢谢你。Tài hǎo le, xièxiè nǐ.Great, thank you.
- 浩然 Haoran不客气，雨婷。Bù kèqì, Yǔtíng.You're welcome, Yuting.
