谷歌
gǔ gē
Google thank you
谷歌 (Gǔgē) is the official and most common way to refer to Google, the technology company and its various services (like the search engine), in Mandarin Chinese. It's a phonetic transliteration chosen for its pleasant sound and meaning.
When to use it
Neutral and widely understood. It's used in all contexts, from news reports and official documents to casual conversations among friends.
How to pronounce it
Sounds roughly like “GOO-guh.” Both syllables are pronounced with a first tone (high and flat).
Other ways to say it
- 谷歌公司gǔ gē gōng sīGoogle company (more formal)
- 谷歌搜索gǔ gē sōu suǒGoogle Search (the search engine product)
- 谷哥gǔ gēBrother Gu (a playful, informal nickname for Google)
Examples
我在谷歌上查了一下。
wǒ zài gǔ gē shàng chá le yí xià 。
I looked it up on Google.
谷歌地图很好用。
gǔ gē dì tú hěn hǎo yòng 。
Google Maps is very useful.
谷歌的总部在哪里？
gǔ gē de zǒng bù zài nǎ lǐ ？
Where is Google's headquarters?
Pro tip: The name 谷歌 (Gǔgē) is a clever transliteration that means “valley song” or “grain song.” In casual speech, Chinese speakers often use 谷歌 as a verb, just like “to Google something” in English.
Related phrases
和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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