VPN
The English phrase 'vpn' is translated into Chinese as VPN.
The term refers to a virtual private network. In daily conversation, people often use colloquialisms like 翻墙 (literally 'climbing over the wall') or the slang 梯子 (literally 'ladder') to refer to the act of using a VPN or the tool itself.
Meaning: virtual private network (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the English term VPN is commonly used. In Taiwan, the term is often written in traditional characters as 虚擬私人網路.
When do people say it?
The colloquialism 翻墙 (climbing the wall) is specifically used to describe the act of using a VPN to bypass internet censorship.
Did you know?
- While 梯子 means 'ladder', it is used as a discreet euphemism because explicitly discussing VPNs on social media can lead to account suspensions.
- The term 翻墙 refers to the 'Great Firewall' of China, a massive legislative and technical system that blocks foreign websites.
- In mainland China, you will rarely see the term VPN written in formal news reports, where instead they use sterile phrases like 'internet acceleration tools'.
Examples in context
- 借助虚拟专用网络，您可以在网络上匿名浏览With the help of a virtual private network, you can browse the internet anonymously.
- 我需要用 VPN。Wǒ xūyào yòng VPN.I need to use a VPN.
- 这个 VPN 很快。Zhège VPN hěn kuài.This VPN is very fast.
- 你的 VPN 连接了吗？Nǐ de VPN liánjié le ma?Is your VPN connected?
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about accessing a blocked website.
- 佳怡 Jiayi浩然，你现在能打开这个网页吗？Hàorán, nǐ xiànzài néng dǎkāi zhège wǎngyè ma?Haoran, can you open this webpage now?
- 浩然 Haoran不能，我忘了开VPN。Bùnéng, wǒ wàngle kāi VPN.No, I forgot to turn on the VPN.
- 佳怡 Jiayi快开一下，我们要看这个资料。Kuài kāi yīxià, wǒmen yào kàn zhège zīliào.Turn it on quickly, we need to see this information.
- 浩然 Haoran好了，现在可以访问了。Hǎole, xiànzài kěyǐ fàngwèn le.Done, now it's accessible.
