短信
duǎnxìn
The Chinese phrase for "text message" is 短信 (duǎnxìn).
短信 refers specifically to traditional SMS/cellular text messages. Most instant messaging in China is done via 微信 (Wēixìn/WeChat).
Meaning: a brief electronic message (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 短信 is composed of 短 (duǎn) meaning "short" and 信 (xìn) meaning "letter" or "message".
Which one should you use?
短讯 is a formal way to refer to a 'text message' in mainland China and Hong Kong. While 短信 (duǎnxìn) refers specifically to traditional SMS/cellular text messages, most instant messaging in China is done via 微信 (Wēixìn/WeChat).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions, particularly in northern China, the variation 短信儿 is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say 'to text' or 'to send a text message', use the verb 发 (fā) with 短信 (duǎnxìn).
How do you pronounce it?
duǎnxìn
Did you know?
- The character 信 (xìn) doesn't just mean 'message', but also 'trust' or 'faith', reflecting an ancient cultural link between a written pledge and reliability.
- The verb 发 (fā) used to send a text also means 'to emit' or 'to radiate', treating the digital message as a signal being sent out into the air.
- In the early days of mobile phones in China, 短信 were often limited to a very small number of characters, leading to the creation of a complex shorthand language.
Examples in context
- 你收到他的短信了吗？Did you receive his text message?
- 明天我给你发个短信儿。I'll send you a text message tomorrow.
- 我收到了一条短信。Wǒ shōudào le yī tiáo duǎnxìn.I received a text message.
- 请给我发一条短信。Qǐng gěi wǒ fā yī tiáo duǎnxìn.Please send me a text message.
- 他的短信写得很简洁。Tā de duǎnxìn xiě de hěn jiǎnjié.His text message is written very concisely.
Example conversation
Two friends are checking their phones at a cafe.
- 雨婷 Yuting你看到我的短信了吗？Nǐ kàndào wǒ de duǎnxìn le ma?Did you see my text message?
- 浩然 Haoran还没，我刚才没看手机。Hái méi, wǒ gāngcái méi kàn shǒujī.Not yet, I wasn't looking at my phone just now.
- 雨婷 Yuting我刚才发了一条短信给你。Wǒ gāngcái fā le yī tiáo duǎnxìn gěi nǐ.I just sent you a text message.
- 浩然 Haoran好的，我现在就看。Hǎo de, wǒ xiànzài jiù kàn.Okay, I'll look at it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “text message” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
