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内存 (nèi cún) — computer memory; RAM; internal storage (of a device)

Definition

内存 (nèicún) is a technical/computing term for a device's working memory (RAM) and internal storage. It is NOT a synonym for 记忆 or 记性, which refer to the human mind's memory.

noun
computer memoryRAMinternal storage (of a device)
Easily confused

Examples

  • 内存。
    Zhè ge yóu xì xū yào hěn dà de nèi cún.
    This game requires a lot of memory.
  • 内存GB。
    Wǒ de shǒu jī nèi cún yǒu yì bǎi èr shí bā GB.
    My phone has 128GB of internal storage.
  • 内存。
    Diàn nǎo nèi cún bù zú huì dǎo zhì yùn xíng huǎn màn.
    Insufficient computer memory will cause slow performance.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

内nèiinternal
存cúnstorage

"内" means inside and "存" means storage, naming storage kept inside a device.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

  • 入入rùto enter
  • 冂冂jiōnghouse

The shape shows 入 entering into 冂, a house, so it pictures bringing something indoors, giving the sense inside.

Open 内 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
子子zǐ
Sound part声符shēngfú
才
才cái存cún
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

存 pairs 子 with 才, which was used for the sound.

Open 存 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Computers & Internet

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.