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电脑 (diàn nǎo) — computer

Definition

Everyday spoken word for 'computer'. The more formal/written term is 计算机, common in Taiwan.

noun
computer
Measure word · 台

Examples

  • 电脑。
    Wǒ yǒu yí diàn nǎo.
    I have a computer.
  • 电脑。
    Wǒ yòng diàn nǎo xué xí.
    I use a computer to study.
  • 电脑。
    Wǒ de diàn nǎo hěn hǎo.
    My computer is good.

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.

电diànelectricity
脑nǎobrain

电 refers to electricity and 脑 to brain, forming electric brain, i.e. computer.

Characters in this word

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 電; 电 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
雨雨yǔrain
Sound part声符shēngfú
申
申shēn電diàn
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

For the traditional form 電, 雨 (rain) sits with 申, read shēn and meaning lightning.

Open 电 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 腦; 脑 is its simplified writing.

  • 匕匕bǐ
  • 巛巛chuānhair
  • 囟囟xìnhead; fontanel

In the traditional form 腦, the older part 匕 was replaced by a flesh part, while 巛 (hair) and 囟 (head; fontanel) stayed. The simplified 脑 is a later abbreviation.

Open 脑 →
Appears in
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