When it comes to learning a new language, it’s important to familiarize yourself with both formal and informal vocabulary. Whether you’re planning to visit China or simply interested in expanding your linguistic skills, this guide will provide you with various ways to say “spam” in Chinese. We will also explore relevant tips, examples, and regional variations. So let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Spam” in Chinese
In formal settings or when you need to use a more polite form of the word, these phrases will come in handy:
1. 垃圾邮件 (lājī yóujiàn)
This is the most common and formal way to refer to “spam” in Chinese, directly translating to “junk mail”. Just like in English, this term describes unsolicited or unwanted emails.
Example:
我最近收到很多垃圾邮件。(Wǒ zuìjìn shōudào hěnduō lājī yóujiàn.)
I’ve been receiving a lot of spam emails lately.
2. 邮件过滤器 (yóujiàn guòlǜqì)
This phrase is more specific and refers to “email filters”, used to block or filter out spam emails.
Example:
我需要设置一个邮件过滤器来防止垃圾邮件。(Wǒ xūyào shèzhì yīgè yóujiàn guòlǜqì lái fángzhǐ lājī yóujiàn.)
I need to set up an email filter to prevent spam.
Informal Ways to Say “Spam” in Chinese
In casual conversations or when speaking with friends, you might prefer using more informal expressions. Here are a few options:
1. 垃圾邮件 / 垃圾信 (lājī yóujiàn / lājī xìn)
These phrases are similar to the formal ones but omit the term “邮件” (yóujiàn) meaning “email”. The word “信” (xìn) simply translates to “message” or “mail”. These terms are commonly used in everyday conversations.
Example:
我邮箱里又有新的垃圾邮件了。(Wǒ yóuxiāng lǐ yòu yǒu xīn de lājī yóujiàn le.)
I have more spam emails in my inbox again.
他老是发垃圾信，真讨厌。(Tā lǎoshì fā lājī xìn, zhēn tǎoyàn.)
He keeps sending spam messages; it’s so annoying.
2. 垃圾广告 (lājī guǎnggào)
This phrase specifically refers to “spam advertisements” and is commonly used when talking about unwanted promotional messages delivered via email or other mediums.
Example:
我收到了一个垃圾广告，直接删除了。(Wǒ shōudào le yīgè lājī guǎnggào, zhíjiē shānchú le.)
I received a spam advertisement and deleted it right away.
Regional Variations
Chinese is a language with several regional variations. It’s worth noting that while Mandarin is the official language, other dialects also exist, leading to some variations in vocabulary. Here are a couple of examples:
1. 垃圾信件 (lājī xìnjiàn) – Cantonese
In Cantonese, the term for “spam email” is slightly different, using “信件” (xìnjiàn) instead of “邮件” (yóujiàn).
2. 垃圾邮件 / 废邮件 (lājī yóujiàn / fèi yóujiàn) – Taiwanese Hokkien
In Taiwanese Hokkien, both “垃圾邮件” (lājī yóujiàn) and “废邮件” (fèi yóujiàn) are commonly used.
Final Thoughts
Now you’re equipped with multiple ways to say “spam” in Chinese, whether formally or informally. Remember, “垃圾邮件” (lājī yóujiàn) is the most widely used term across different Chinese dialects, while alternative phrases like “邮件过滤器” (yóujiàn guòlǜqì) provide more specific descriptions. Use these phrases and integrate them into your Chinese conversations to ensure clarity and effective communication.
Language learning is a marvelous journey, so embrace the opportunities to explore, make mistakes, and improve. Happy language learning!
