zhuānlì: 专利 - Patent

• Keywords: patent in Chinese, 专利, zhuanli, how to say patent in Chinese, Chinese intellectual property, China patent law, apply for a patent, 申请专利, invention patent, 发明专利, business Chinese
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 专利 (zhuānlì), the essential Chinese word for “patent.” This guide explains its cultural significance in China's booming tech and business sectors, how to use it in conversation, and common phrases like 申请专利 (shēnqǐng zhuānlì), meaning “to apply for a patent.” Whether you're in business, tech, or law, understanding 专利 is key to navigating modern China's intellectual property landscape.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhuānlì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: An exclusive legal right granted to an inventor for an invention.
• In a Nutshell: 专利 (zhuānlì) is the direct equivalent of the English word “patent.” It represents the legal protection given to an inventor, granting them a temporary monopoly on their creation. Think of it as a government-certified “exclusive right” to profit from a new idea or technology. In today's China, a country at the forefront of technological innovation, 专利 is a high-frequency word in business, law, and tech news.

• 专 (zhuān): This character means “exclusive,” “specialized,” or “concentrated.” It suggests something dedicated to a single person, entity, or purpose.
• 利 (lì): This character means “benefit,” “profit,” or “advantage.” The character originally depicted a stalk of grain (禾) being harvested with a knife (刂), symbolizing a gain or harvest.
• How they combine: Together, 专 (zhuān) and 利 (lì) form a literal and powerful meaning: “exclusive benefit” or “specialized profit.” This perfectly captures the concept of a patent—the exclusive right to benefit from one's invention.

Historically, the concept of individual intellectual property wasn't as prominent in China's collectivist-oriented culture as it was in the West. Ideas and creations were often seen as part of a shared cultural heritage. However, this has dramatically changed in the 21st century. With its economic transformation and ambition to become a global technology leader (e.g., the “Made in China 2025” initiative), China has placed enormous emphasis on 专利. The government now heavily incentivizes and promotes patent applications as a measure of national innovative strength and economic competitiveness. The Western concept of a patent is deeply rooted in a long history of protecting individual rights. In modern China, the push for 专利 is often more pragmatic and state-driven, viewed as a critical tool for corporate strategy and national development. It's less about the “lone genius” inventor and more about a company or the nation's portfolio of intellectual property assets. For any business operating in or with China, understanding the seriousness and strategic importance of 专利 is non-negotiable.

专利 (zhuānlì) is a formal and technical term. You'll encounter it most frequently in the following contexts:

• Business and Law: In contracts, legal disputes, negotiations, and corporate reports.
• Technology News: When discussing companies like Huawei, DJI, or Tencent, their patent portfolios (专利组合) are often a key topic.
• Common Phrases:
  • 申请专利 (shēnqǐng zhuānlì): To apply for a patent. This is the most common verb-object collocation.
  • 获得专利 (huòdé zhuānlì): To obtain/be granted a patent.
  • 侵犯专利 (qīnfàn zhuānlì): To infringe on a patent.
  • 专利法 (zhuānlì fǎ): Patent law.
  • 发明专利 (fāmíng zhuānlì): Invention patent (the highest level, for new and significant inventions).
  • 实用新型专利 (shíyòng xīnxíng zhuānlì): Utility model patent (for minor improvements or new shapes/structures).
  • 外观设计专利 (wàiguān shèjì zhuānlì): Design patent (for the aesthetic design of a product).

• Example 1:
  • 我们公司为这项新技术申请了专利。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī wèi zhè xiàng xīn jìshù shēnqǐng le zhuānlì.
  • English: Our company has applied for a patent for this new technology.
  • Analysis: This shows the most common use case: the phrase `申请专利` (apply for a patent).
• Example 2:
  • 这家公司拥有多项重要的技术专利。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī yōngyǒu duō xiàng zhòngyào de jìshù zhuānlì.
  • English: This company holds several important technology patents.
  • Analysis: `拥有` (yōngyǒu - to possess) is often used to describe holding patents. `项` (xiàng) is a common measure word for patents and technology.
• Example 3:
  • 他们被指控侵犯了我们的专利权。
  • Pinyin: Tāmen bèi zhǐkòng qīnfàn le wǒmen de zhuānlì quán.
  • English: They were accused of infringing on our patent rights.
  • Analysis: Here, `权` (quán - right) is added to form `专利权` (zhuānlìquán), which specifically means “patent rights.” This is very common in legal contexts.
• Example 4:
  • 这个药的专利快要到期了，很快就会有仿制药。
  • Pinyin: Zhège yào de zhuānlì kuàiyào dàoqī le, hěn kuài jiù huì yǒu fǎngzhìyào.
  • English: This drug's patent is about to expire, and there will be generic versions soon.
  • Analysis: `到期` (dàoqī) means “to expire” and is the standard term for a patent running out.
• Example 5:
  • 他因为那项改变世界的产品而获得了一项发明专利。
  • Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi nà xiàng gǎibiàn shìjiè de chǎnpǐn ér huòdé le yí xiàng fāmíng zhuānlì.
  • English: He obtained an invention patent for that world-changing product.
  • Analysis: This sentence specifies the type of patent: `发明专利` (invention patent), the most prestigious kind.
• Example 6:
  • 学习专利法对科技公司的法务很重要。
  • Pinyin: Xuéxí zhuānlì fǎ duì kējì gōngsī de fǎwù hěn zhòngyào.
  • English: Studying patent law is very important for the legal affairs department of a tech company.
  • Analysis: `专利法` (zhuānlì fǎ) is the specific term for “patent law.”
• Example 7:
  • 这两家手机公司之间有一场旷日持久的专利纠纷。
  • Pinyin: Zhè liǎng jiā shǒujī gōngsī zhījiān yǒu yì chǎng kuàngrìchíjiǔ de zhuānlì jiūfēn.
  • English: There is a long-standing patent dispute between these two mobile phone companies.
  • Analysis: `专利纠纷` (zhuānlì jiūfēn) means “patent dispute.”
• Example 8:
  • 强有力的专利保护可以鼓励创新。
  • Pinyin: Qiángyǒulì de zhuānlì bǎohù kěyǐ gǔlì chuàngxīn.
  • English: Strong patent protection can encourage innovation.
  • Analysis: `专利保护` (zhuānlì bǎohù) means “patent protection,” a key concept in economic and legal discussions.
• Example 9:
  • 这个独特的设计有专利吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhège dútè de shèjì yǒu zhuānlì ma?
  • English: Does this unique design have a patent?
  • Analysis: A simple, practical question showing how to ask about patent status.
• Example 10:
  • 华为的专利组合是其核心竞争力之一。
  • Pinyin: Huáwéi de zhuānlì zǔhé shì qí héxīn jìngzhēnglì zhīyī.
  • English: Huawei's patent portfolio is one of its core competitive advantages.
  • Analysis: `专利组合` (zhuānlì zǔhé) is the standard business term for “patent portfolio.”

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 专利 (zhuānlì) with other forms of intellectual property.

• 专利 (zhuānlì) vs. 版权 (bǎnquán) - Patent vs. Copyright:
  • 专利 protects inventions, like a new type of engine, a chemical process, or a software algorithm.
  • 版权 (bǎnquán) protects creative works, like a book, a song, a movie, or a painting.
  • Incorrect: ~~这首歌有专利。~~ (This song has a patent.)
  • Correct: 这首歌有版权。 (This song has a copyright.)
• 专利 (zhuānlì) vs. 商标 (shāngbiāo) - Patent vs. Trademark:
  • 专利 protects how something works or is made.
  • 商标 (shāngbiāo) protects a brand's identity, like its name, logo, or slogan.
  • Incorrect: ~~“耐克”是一个很有名的专利。~~ (“Nike” is a very famous patent.)
  • Correct: “耐克”是一个很有名的商标。 (“Nike” is a very famous trademark.)

• 知识产权 (zhīshi chǎnquán) - Intellectual Property (IP). 专利 is a major category of this broader concept.
• 版权 (bǎnquán) - Copyright. Another key type of intellectual property, often contrasted with patents.
• 商标 (shāngbiāo) - Trademark. The third pillar of IP, protecting brand identity.
• 发明 (fāmíng) - Invention. The actual creation that a 专利 protects.
• 创新 (chuàngxīn) - Innovation. The process that leads to inventions worthy of a 专利.
• 侵权 (qīnquán) - Infringement. The general legal term for violating rights. `侵犯专利权` (qīnfàn zhuānlìquán) is a specific type of infringement.
• 申请 (shēnqǐng) - To apply. The verb most commonly paired with 专利.
• 技术 (jìshù) - Technology. The field where 专利 is most prevalent.