平板电脑
píngbǎn diànnǎo
The English phrase "tablet" (referring to a portable computer with a touchscreen) is translated into Chinese as 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo).
In Chinese, the term refers to a portable computer with a touchscreen display.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 平板电脑 is a compound of 平板 (píngbǎn), meaning 'flat board' and 电脑 (diànnǎo), meaning 'computer'.
Which one should you use?
While 平板电脑 is the full technical term for a tablet computer, the shorter form 平板 is the more common way to refer to the device in daily life.
How do you pronounce it?
píngbǎn diànnǎo
Did you know?
- The word for computer, 电脑, literally translates to 'electric brain'.
- If you use the shortened term 平板 by itself in a hardware store, the clerk might hand you a piece of wood or a flat panel instead of a gadget.
- While 平板 means 'flat board', the word 板 is used in many Chinese idioms to describe someone who is 'stiff' or 'wooden' in personality.
Examples in context
- 我想买一台平板电脑。I want to buy a tablet.
- 你有平板吗？Do you have a tablet?
- 我想买一台新的平板电脑。Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī tái xīn de píngbǎn diànnǎo.I want to buy a new tablet.
- 这台平板电脑很轻便。Zhè tái píngbǎn diànnǎo hěn qīngbiàn.This tablet is very lightweight.
- 他在用平板电脑看书。Tā zài yòng píngbǎn diànnǎo kànshū.He is using a tablet to read a book.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing electronic devices in a cafe.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你的平板电脑是什么牌子的？Nǐ de píngbǎn diànnǎo shì shénme páizi de?What brand is your tablet?
- 梓涵 Zihan是一台普通的平板电脑。Shì yī tái pǔtōng de píngbǎn diànnǎo.It is just an ordinary tablet.
- 志强 Zhiqiang它的屏幕看起来很清楚。Tā de píngmù kàn qǐlái hěn qīngchu.Its screen looks very clear.
- 梓涵 Zihan是的，用它看视频很方便。Shì de, yòng tā kàn shìpín hěn fāngbiàn.Yes, it is very convenient for watching videos.
