NetChai Chinese
电脑
diàn nǎo
Hello pc · trad. 電腦

电脑 (diànnǎo) is the most common and versatile way to say "computer" or "PC" in Mandarin Chinese. It refers to any personal computer, whether it's a desktop or a laptop, and is used in everyday conversations.

When to use it

Neutral and widely used. While 计算机 (jìsuànjī) is a more formal or technical term for "computer" (literally "calculating machine"), 电脑 is preferred in daily speech. For specific types, use 笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo) for "laptop" or 台式电脑 (táishì diànnǎo) for "desktop computer."

How to pronounce it

Sounds roughly like "DYEN-now." The first syllable 电脑 (diàn) is a falling tone, and the second syllable 脑 (nǎo) is a third tone.

Other ways to say it

  • 计算机jì suàn jīcomputer (formal / technical)
  • 笔记本电脑bǐ jì běn diàn nǎolaptop computer
  • 台式电脑tái shì diàn nǎodesktop computer

Examples

我想买一台新电脑。
wǒ xiǎng mǎi yì tái xīn diàn nǎo 。
I want to buy a new computer.
我的电脑坏了。
wǒ de diàn nǎo huài le 。
My computer is broken.
你有电脑吗？
nǐ yǒu diàn nǎo ma ？
Do you have a computer?
Pro tip: While 计算机 (jìsuànjī) is the more "official" or technical term for "computer," 电脑 (diànnǎo) is almost always used in casual conversation and for personal computers. Think of 电脑 as the everyday word for "PC" or "computer."

Related phrases

和平 · Peace钱 · Money闭嘴 · Shut up
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