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| 硬件 [2025/08/13 00:25] – created xiaoer | 硬件 [Unknown date] (current) – removed - external edit (Unknown date) 127.0.0.1 |
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| ====== yìngjiàn: 硬件 - Hardware ====== | |
| ===== Quick Summary ===== | |
| * **Keywords:** yingjian, yìngjiàn, 硬件, Chinese for hardware, computer hardware in Chinese, 软件, software and hardware, physical components, infrastructure in Chinese, hard parts | |
| * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese term **硬件 (yìngjiàn)**, which means "hardware." This page breaks down its meaning, from computer components and electronics to its broader use for a city's physical infrastructure. Understand how it directly contrasts with **软件 (ruǎnjiàn)**, or "software," and see how this fundamental tech term is used in everyday conversation, business, and modern Chinese culture. | |
| ===== Core Meaning ===== | |
| * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** yìngjiàn | |
| * **Part of Speech:** Noun | |
| * **HSK Level:** HSK 5 | |
| * **Concise Definition:** The physical, tangible components of a computer system, electronic device, or other complex system; hardware. | |
| * **In a Nutshell:** **硬件 (yìngjiàn)** is the stuff you can physically touch. For a computer, it's the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and all the parts inside the case like the CPU and memory. It's the "hard" part of a system, as opposed to the "soft" programs and code that run on it. Think of it as the body, while software is the mind. | |
| ===== Character Breakdown ===== | |
| * **硬 (yìng):** This character means "hard," "stiff," or "firm." It's the same word you'd use to describe a rock as being hard (`硬石头 - yìng shítou`). | |
| * **件 (jiàn):** This character is a common measure word for items, articles, or components. For example, a piece of clothing is `一件衣服 (yí jiàn yīfu)`. | |
| By combining **硬 (yìng) - hard** and **件 (jiàn) - components**, the word **硬件 (yìngjiàn)** literally and logically translates to "hard components," a perfect description for hardware. | |
| ===== Cultural Context and Significance ===== | |
| While **硬件 (yìngjiàn)** is a modern technical term without deep historical roots, its importance in contemporary China cannot be overstated. China is often called the "world's factory," and it is a global powerhouse in manufacturing **硬件**. Brands like Huawei (华为), Xiaomi (小米), and DJI (大疆) are famous for producing high-quality and innovative hardware, from smartphones to drones. | |
| A useful cultural comparison is the perceived focus of different tech hubs. For many years, the West's Silicon Valley was seen as dominated by **软件 (ruǎnjiàn) - software**, focusing on apps, social media platforms, and operating systems. In contrast, cities like Shenzhen (深圳) built a reputation on mastering the design, manufacturing, and supply chain of **硬件 (yìngjiàn)**. While this is a simplification and both regions now excel in both areas, understanding this dynamic highlights the term's significance in China's economic and technological identity. **硬件 (yìngjiàn)** represents a source of national pride and a cornerstone of its modern economy. | |
| ===== Practical Usage in Modern China ===== | |
| ==== In Technology and IT ==== | |
| This is the most common context. It's used when discussing computers, phones, gaming consoles, and any electronic device. | |
| * Buying a new computer: `我要升级我的电脑硬件。 (Wǒ yào shēngjí wǒ de diànnǎo yìngjiàn.)` - I want to upgrade my computer's hardware. | |
| * Troubleshooting: `这是一个硬件问题还是软件问题？ (Zhè shì yí ge yìngjiàn wèntí háishì ruǎnjiàn wèntí?)` - Is this a hardware problem or a software problem? | |
| ==== In Urban Planning and Infrastructure ==== | |
| **硬件** can be used more broadly to refer to the physical infrastructure of a place, like a city or a school. | |
| * Discussing a city's development: `这个城市的硬件设施很棒。 (Zhège chéngshì de yìngjiàn shèshī hěn bàng.)` - This city's hardware facilities (infrastructure) are excellent. | |
| ==== Metaphorical Usage ==== | |
| Less commonly, **硬件** can be used metaphorically to describe a person's or organization's foundational, tangible assets or conditions. | |
| * Describing a person's qualifications: `他的学历和经验是他的硬实力，算是求职的“硬件”。(Tā de xuélì hé jīngyàn shì tā de yìng shílì, suànshì qiúzhí de "yìngjiàn".)` - His academic qualifications and experience are his hard power, considered his "hardware" for job seeking. | |
| ===== Example Sentences ===== | |
| * **Example 1:** | |
| * 我的电脑**硬件**太旧了，跑不动这个游戏。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒ de diànnǎo **yìngjiàn** tài jiù le, pǎo bú dòng zhège yóuxì. | |
| * English: My computer's **hardware** is too old, it can't run this game. | |
| * Analysis: A very common and practical sentence for anyone who uses a computer or plays games. `跑不动 (pǎo bú dòng)` literally means "can't run." | |
| * **Example 2:** | |
| * 我们公司只负责软件开发，不生产**硬件**。 | |
| * Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī zhǐ fùzé ruǎnjiàn kāifā, bù shēngchǎn **yìngjiàn**. | |
| * English: Our company is only responsible for software development, we don't produce **hardware**. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence clearly contrasts `硬件` with its opposite, `软件 (ruǎnjiàn)`. | |
| * **Example 3:** | |
| * 手机的**硬件**配置决定了它的性能。 | |
| * Pinyin: Shǒujī de **yìngjiàn** pèizhì juédìng le tā de xìngnéng. | |
| * English: The phone's **hardware** configuration determines its performance. | |
| * Analysis: `配置 (pèizhì)` means configuration or "specs." This is a key related term when discussing `硬件`. | |
| * **Example 4:** | |
| * 这个问题是**硬件**冲突引起的。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhège wèntí shì **yìngjiàn** chōngtū yǐnqǐ de. | |
| * English: This problem is caused by a **hardware** conflict. | |
| * Analysis: `冲突 (chōngtū)` means conflict, a common term in IT for when two components don't work together properly. | |
| * **Example 5:** | |
| * 你最好先检查一下**硬件**连接是否正确。 | |
| * Pinyin: Nǐ zuìhǎo xiān jiǎnchá yíxià **yìngjiàn** liánjiē shìfǒu zhèngquè. | |
| * English: You had better first check if the **hardware** connections are correct. | |
| * Analysis: A practical piece of advice for troubleshooting. `连接 (liánjiē)` means "connection." | |
| * **Example 6:** | |
| * 政府计划投入巨资改善城市**硬件**设施。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zhèngfǔ jìhuà tóurù jùzī gǎishàn chéngshì **yìngjiàn** shèshī. | |
| * English: The government plans to invest huge funds to improve the city's **hardware** facilities (infrastructure). | |
| * Analysis: This shows the broader use of `硬件` to refer to public infrastructure. `设施 (shèshī)` means facilities. | |
| * **Example 7:** | |
| * 虽然我们的**硬件**条件不错，但团队合作精神需要加强。 | |
| * Pinyin: Suīrán wǒmen de **yìngjiàn** tiáojiàn búcuò, dàn tuánduì hézuò jīngshén xūyào jiāqiáng. | |
| * English: Although our **hardware** conditions (physical resources) are good, our team spirit needs to be strengthened. | |
| * Analysis: A great example of the metaphorical use of `硬件` in a business context, referring to tangible assets like office space and equipment. | |
| * **Example 8:** | |
| * 这款笔记本电脑的**硬件**可以升级吗？ | |
| * Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn bǐjìběn diànnǎo de **yìngjiàn** kěyǐ shēngjí ma? | |
| * English: Can the **hardware** of this laptop model be upgraded? | |
| * Analysis: `款 (kuǎn)` is a measure word for models or styles of products. `升级 (shēngjí)` means "to upgrade." | |
| * **Example 9:** | |
| * 一个强大的**硬件**基础是系统稳定运行的保障。 | |
| * Pinyin: Yí ge qiángdà de **yìngjiàn** jīchǔ shì xìtǒng wěndìng yùnxíng de bǎozhàng. | |
| * English: A strong **hardware** foundation is the guarantee of the system's stable operation. | |
| * Analysis: This sentence emphasizes the foundational role of hardware. `基础 (jīchǔ)` means foundation. | |
| * **Example 10:** | |
| * 在购买二手设备时，一定要仔细检测其**硬件**状况。 | |
| * Pinyin: Zài gòumǎi èrshǒu shèbèi shí, yídìng yào zǐxì jiǎncè qí **yìngjiàn** zhuàngkuàng. | |
| * English: When buying second-hand equipment, you must carefully inspect its **hardware** condition. | |
| * Analysis: Practical advice. `二手 (èrshǒu)` means second-hand, and `状况 (zhuàngkuàng)` means condition or status. | |
| ===== Nuances and Common Mistakes ===== | |
| * **"Hardware" vs. "Hardware Store Items":** This is the most common mistake for English speakers. In English, "hardware" can mean tools like hammers, nails, and screws. In Chinese, **硬件 (yìngjiàn)** is almost exclusively used for electronic/system components or large-scale infrastructure. The tools you buy at a hardware store are called **五金 (wǔjīn)**. | |
| * **Correct:** `电脑硬件 (diànnǎo yìngjiàn)` - Computer hardware. | |
| * **Incorrect:** `我需要买一些硬件，比如锤子和钉子。 (Wǒ xūyào mǎi yìxiē yìngjiàn, bǐrú chuízi hé dīngzi.)` | |
| * **Why it's wrong:** A hammer and nails are not system components. You should say: `我需要买一些五金。(Wǒ xūyào mǎi yìxiē wǔjīn.)` | |
| * **Metaphorical Use is Advanced:** While you might hear native speakers use `硬件` metaphorically for a person's physical health or a company's assets, it's an advanced usage. As a learner, stick to the literal, technical meaning to avoid sounding unnatural. | |
| ===== Related Terms and Concepts ===== | |
| * [[软件]] (ruǎnjiàn) - The direct antonym of `硬件`. It means "software"—the programs, apps, and data that run on the hardware. | |
| * [[设备]] (shèbèi) - Equipment, device. A broader term. All hardware is a type of `设备`, but not all `设备` (like a simple machine) would be called `硬件`. | |
| * [[配置]] (pèizhì) - Configuration, specifications ("specs"). This describes the specific set of `硬件` that a computer or phone has (e.g., "high-spec" is `高配 - gāo pèi`). | |
| * [[零件]] (língjiàn) - Parts, components. This is more granular than `硬件`. A CPU is `硬件`, but a tiny screw inside the computer is a `零件`. | |
| * [[五金]] (wǔjīn) - Hardware (tools, metal goods). The things you find in a hardware store like Home Depot. A crucial distinction from `硬件`. | |
| * [[固件]] (gùjiàn) - Firmware. The special type of software that is permanently programmed into a piece of hardware, like the BIOS of a computer. It sits between `硬件` and `软件`. | |
| * [[基础设施]] (jīchǔ shèshī) - Infrastructure. This is the formal term for what `硬件` refers to in the context of urban planning. | |
| * [[兼容]] (jiānróng) - Compatible. Describes whether different pieces of `硬件` (or software) can work together correctly. | |