fúwùqì: 服务器 - Server (computer)

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• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word for a computer server, 服务器 (fúwùqì). This guide breaks down the characters 服务 (fúwù, 'service') and 器 (qì, 'device'), explaining its literal meaning as a “service device”. We'll cover how to use it in tech-related conversations, discuss its significance in China's massive tech industry, and provide numerous example sentences to help you master this critical piece of modern vocabulary. Find out the common mistake of confusing it with 服务员 (fúwùyuán - waiter) and related technical terms.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fúwùqì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A computer server; a machine or program that provides services to other computers.
• In a Nutshell: 服务器 (fúwùqì) is a direct and logical term for a computer “server.” It's formed by combining “service” (服务) and “device” (器). This word is not a metaphor; it's a standard technical term used in exactly the same contexts as its English counterpart. If you're talking about websites, databases, online gaming, or cloud computing in Chinese, you will absolutely need to know 服务器.

• 服 (fú): This character can mean “clothing” or “to obey,” but its core meaning here is “to serve.” Think of providing a service.
• 务 (wù): This character relates to “affairs,” “business,” or a “task.”
• 器 (qì): This character means “device,” “tool,” “instrument,” or “machine.” You can see it in other words like 机器人 (jīqìrén - robot) and 乐器 (yuèqì - musical instrument).

When combined, 服务 (fúwù) becomes the standard word for “service.” Adding 器 (qì) at the end transforms the abstract concept of “service” into a physical or virtual object: a “service device,” which is a perfect translation for “server.”

The concept of a server is universal in technology, but the term 服务器 (fúwùqì) operates within China's unique and massive digital landscape. While in the West, conversations about servers might revolve around Amazon (AWS), Google, or Microsoft, in China, the context is dominated by domestic tech giants like Alibaba (阿里云 - Ālǐyún), Tencent (腾讯云 - Téngxùnyún), and Huawei (华为云 - Huáwéiyún). Furthermore, any discussion of servers in China is implicitly linked to the country's internet infrastructure, including the famous 防火长城 (fánghuǒ chángchéng), or “Great Firewall.” This system of filters and blocks is implemented on a vast network of servers, making the location and control of 服务器 a topic of national importance. For an average user, this can mean that servers located outside of mainland China are often slower or inaccessible. Therefore, when Chinese users discuss online gaming or website performance, specifying whether the 服务器 is domestic or foreign is a common and practical consideration.

服务器 (fúwùqì) is a standard, neutral term used across various contexts, from professional IT environments to casual conversations about technology.

• In IT and Business: It is used constantly to discuss infrastructure, cloud computing, data centers, website hosting, and system administration.
• In Daily Conversation: People use it when an app or website isn't working (“the server must be down”), or when talking about online multiplayer games (“which game server are you on?”).
• Formality: The term itself is neutral and can be used in both formal presentations and informal chats with friends.

• Example 1:
  • 我们的网站服务器好像出问题了，打不开了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen de wǎngzhàn fúwùqì hǎoxiàng chū wèntí le, dǎ bù kāi le.
  • English: It seems there's a problem with our website's server; it won't open.
  • Analysis: A very common phrase used when a website is down. “出问题 (chū wèntí)” means “to have a problem.”
• Example 2:
  • 公司决定租用云服务器，而不是自己购买。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī juédìng zūyòng yún fúwùqì, ér búshì zìjǐ gòumǎi.
  • English: The company decided to rent a cloud server instead of buying its own.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows the use of 服务器 in a modern business context, specifically with “cloud” (云).
• Example 3:
  • 你玩英雄联盟在哪个服务器？我们一起玩吧！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ wán Yīngxióng Liánméng zài nǎge fúwùqì? Wǒmen yīqǐ wán ba!
  • English: Which server do you play League of Legends on? Let's play together!
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the common use of 服务器 in the context of online gaming.
• Example 4:
  • 抱歉，服务器正在进行例行维护，请稍后再试。
  • Pinyin: Bàoqiàn, fúwùqì zhèngzài jìnxíng lìxíng wéihù, qǐng shāo hòu zài shì.
  • English: Sorry, the server is currently undergoing routine maintenance. Please try again later.
  • Analysis: A typical message you might see on a website or app during a maintenance window.
• Example 5:
  • IT部门的同事正在重启服务器。
  • Pinyin: IT bùmén de tóngshì zhèngzài chóngqǐ fúwùqì.
  • English: The colleagues in the IT department are rebooting the server.
  • Analysis: “重启 (chóngqǐ)” means “to restart” or “reboot,” a common action performed on a server.
• Example 6:
  • 这个项目的数据库和应用放在同一个服务器上。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xiàngmù de shùjùkù hé yìngyòng fàng zài tóng yī ge fúwùqì shàng.
  • English: This project's database and application are located on the same server.
  • Analysis: Shows how 服务器 relates to other technical components like “database” (数据库) and “application” (应用).
• Example 7:
  • 由于用户太多，游戏服务器崩溃了。
  • Pinyin: Yóuyú yònghù tài duō, yóuxì fúwùqì bēngkuì le.
  • English: Due to too many users, the game server crashed.
  • Analysis: “崩溃 (bēngkuì)” literally means “to collapse” and is the standard word for a server or system “crashing.”
• Example 8:
  • 我们需要一个位于欧洲的服务器来服务我们的欧洲客户。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen xūyào yī ge wèiyú Ōuzhōu de fúwùqì lái fúwù wǒmen de Ōuzhōu kèhù.
  • English: We need a server located in Europe to serve our European customers.
  • Analysis: Highlights the importance of server location for performance. Note the repetition of 服 an 务 in different words.
• Example 9:
  • 文件的上传速度很慢，可能是服务器带宽不够。
  • Pinyin: Wénjiàn de shàngchuán sùdù hěn màn, kěnéng shì fúwùqì dàikuān bùgòu.
  • English: The file upload speed is very slow; it might be that the server's bandwidth is insufficient.
  • Analysis: Connects 服务器 to another key technical concept, “bandwidth” (带宽).
• Example 10:
  • 客户端无法连接到服务器。
  • Pinyin: Kèhùduān wúfǎ liánjiē dào fúwùqì.
  • English: The client is unable to connect to the server.
  • Analysis: Shows the classic “client-server” relationship. “客户端 (kèhùduān)” is the technical term for “client.”

The single most common mistake for learners is confusing 服务器 (fúwùqì) with 服务员 (fúwùyuán). They sound similar and both start with 服务 (fúwù - service), but the ending character completely changes the meaning.

• 服务器 (fúwùqì): Server (a machine). The key is 器 (qì), meaning “device” or “instrument.”
• 服务员 (fúwùyuán): Waiter, attendant (a person). The key is 员 (yuán), meaning “person” or “member,” as in 员工 (yuángōng - employee).

Incorrect Usage:

• `在餐厅，我叫了一个服务器。` (Zài cāntīng, wǒ jiào le yī ge fúwùqì.)
• Why it's wrong: This means “In the restaurant, I called for a computer server.” A native speaker would be very confused or find it humorous.

Correct Usage:

• `在餐厅，我叫了一个服务员。` (Zài cāntīng, wǒ jiào le yī ge fúwùyuán.)
• Meaning: “In the restaurant, I called for a waiter.”

Remember: 器 (qì) = Machine, 员 (yuán) = Person.

• 服务员 (fúwùyuán) - The human counterpart: a waiter, clerk, or attendant. The most critical term to distinguish from 服务器.
• 客户端 (kèhùduān) - Client. The program or computer that requests services from a server. The direct technical opposite.
• 服务 (fúwù) - Service. The root word from which 服务器 is derived.
• 数据库 (shùjùkù) - Database. A system for storing data, which almost always runs on a server.
• 网站 (wǎngzhàn) - Website. A collection of web pages hosted on one or more servers.
• 主机 (zhǔjī) - Host machine. Can sometimes be used synonymously for a server, but can also mean a mainframe computer or even a video game console (e.g., PS5主机).
• 云 (yún) - Cloud. As in “cloud computing” (云计算 - yún jìsuàn). Modern servers are often “cloud servers” (云服务器 - yún fúwùqì).
• 防火墙 (fánghuǒqiáng) - Firewall. A security device that monitors and controls network traffic, often protecting a server.
• 数据中心 (shùjù zhōngxīn) - Data Center. A building full of servers.
• 崩溃 (bēngkuì) - To crash. The verb used when a server or system stops working suddenly.