guīgé: 规格 - Specifications, Standard, Format

• Keywords: guige meaning, 规格 Chinese, specifications in Chinese, Chinese for standard, product specs, format, guige vs biaozhun, Chinese business vocabulary, technical standard, product dimensions
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese business term 规格 (guīgé), meaning “specifications,” “standard,” or “format.” This page breaks down how to use 规格 (guīgé) to discuss product details, technical standards, and configurations in manufacturing, tech, and everyday shopping. Understand its cultural significance in modern China and master the crucial difference between 规格 (guīgé) and 标准 (biāozhǔn).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): guī gé
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: A detailed description of the design, materials, dimensions, and other technical characteristics of something; specifications.
• In a Nutshell: 规格 (guīgé) is the “spec sheet” of a product or object. Think of the list of details you check before buying a new phone or computer: screen size, processor speed, memory, weight. That list of specific attributes is its 规格 (guīgé). It defines what a product *is* in precise, measurable terms.

• 规 (guī): This character originally referred to a compass—the tool used to draw a perfect circle. By extension, it means “rule,” “regulation,” or “to plan.” It implies a standard of regularity and precision.
• 格 (gé): This character can mean a “grid,” “pattern,” “framework,” or “style.” It suggests a structure or a defined format that something fits into.
• When combined, 规格 (guīgé) literally translates to “rule-pattern” or “regulation-framework.” This perfectly captures the idea of a set of rules (规) that define the specific framework or pattern (格) of a product.

While 规格 (guīgé) is a technical term, its frequent use reveals a lot about modern Chinese society. In a country that is the “world's factory” and a massive consumer of technology, being “spec-literate” is a common skill. Comparison to Western Culture: In the West, a casual consumer might buy a laptop based on brand reputation or general descriptions like “good for students.” In China, it's far more common for average consumers to engage in detailed discussions about the specific 规格—comparing CPU models, RAM types, and screen resolutions. This reflects a culture that values precision, technical detail, and getting the best possible “bang for your buck” (性价比 - xìngjiàbǐ). This focus on 规格 (guīgé) is tied to the national goal of moving from a low-cost manufacturer to a high-tech innovator. Adhering to and creating high-level 规格 (guīgé) is a matter of national pride and economic strategy, representing a shift towards quality and precision.

规格 (guīgé) is a neutral, formal term used constantly in business, tech, and retail.

This is the most common context. It's used in contracts, quality control, and communication between suppliers and buyers.

• Example: “请把你们产品的详细规格发给我们。” (Qǐng bǎ nǐmen chǎnpǐn de xiángxì guīgé fā gěi wǒmen.) - “Please send us the detailed specifications of your product.”

When discussing computers, phones, cameras, or any gadget, 规格 (guīgé) refers to its technical capabilities. It's often used alongside 配置 (pèizhì), meaning “configuration.”

• Example: “这款手机的规格很高，特别是摄像头。” (Zhè kuǎn shǒujī de guīgé hěn gāo, tèbié shì shèxiàngtóu.) - “This phone's specs are very high, especially the camera.”

It can be used for non-tech items to ask about available sizes, models, or types.

• Example: “这个行李箱有几种不同的规格？” (Zhège xínglǐxiāng yǒu jǐ zhǒng bùtóng de guīgé?) - “How many different sizes/models does this suitcase come in?”

• Example 1:
  • 客户要求我们必须严格按照规格生产。
  • Pinyin: Kèhù yāoqiú wǒmen bìxū yángé ànzhào guīgé shēngchǎn.
  • English: The client requires that we must produce strictly according to the specifications.
  • Analysis: This is a classic business usage. 按照 (ànzhào) means “according to,” a common word paired with 规格 (guīgé).
• Example 2:
  • 你能给我一份这份材料的规格表吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng gěi wǒ yī fèn zhè fèn cáiliào de guīgé biǎo ma?
  • English: Can you give me a spec sheet for this material?
  • Analysis: 规格表 (guīgé biǎo) literally means “specification table/sheet,” a very useful compound word.
• Example 3:
  • 我们有两种规格可选，一种是大的，一种是小的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen yǒu liǎng zhǒng guīgé kě xuǎn, yī zhǒng shì dà de, yī zhǒng shì xiǎo de.
  • English: We have two models/sizes to choose from, a large one and a small one.
  • Analysis: Here, 规格 (guīgé) is used in a retail context to mean different versions or sizes of the same product.
• Example 4:
  • 这台电脑的规格有点低，跑不动这个软件。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái diànnǎo de guīgé yǒudiǎn dī, pǎo bù dòng zhège ruǎnjiàn.
  • English: This computer's specs are a bit low; it can't run this software.
  • Analysis: 规格 (guīgé) can be described with 高 (gāo) for “high-spec” and 低 (dī) for “low-spec.”
• Example 5:
  • 这个零件的规格不对，装不上去。
  • Pinyin: Zhège língjiàn de guīgé bùduì, zhuāng bù shàngqù.
  • English: The specifications of this component are wrong; it can't be installed.
  • Analysis: 不对 (bùduì) means “not correct” or “doesn't match,” a common problem in manufacturing and assembly.
• Example 6:
  • 所有出口产品都必须符合国际规格。
  • Pinyin: Suǒyǒu chūkǒu chǎnpǐn dōu bìxū fúhé guójì guīgé.
  • English: All export products must meet international specifications.
  • Analysis: Here, 规格 (guīgé) is used alongside “international” (国际), highlighting its role in global trade. Note the verb 符合 (fúhé), “to conform to.”
• Example 7:
  • 我们正在比较两家供应商提供的产品规格。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen zhèngzài bǐjiào liǎng jiā gōngyìngshāng tígōng de chǎnpǐn guīgé.
  • English: We are comparing the product specifications provided by two suppliers.
  • Analysis: A key step in sourcing and procurement. 比较 (bǐjiào) means “to compare.”
• Example 8:
  • 这种电缆的规格是什么？比如它的直径和材质。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng diànlǎn de guīgé shì shénme? Bǐrú tā de zhíjìng hé cáizhì.
  • English: What are the specifications of this type of cable? For example, its diameter and material.
  • Analysis: This shows how 规格 (guīgé) is a general term for a list of specific properties like 直径 (zhíjìng) “diameter” and 材质 (cáizhì) “material.”
• Example 9:
  • 产品的包装上清楚地标明了规格和重量。
  • Pinyin: Chǎnpǐn de bāozhuāng shàng qīngchǔ de biāomíngle guīgé hé zhòngliàng.
  • English: The product's specifications and weight are clearly marked on the packaging.
  • Analysis: 标明 (biāomíng) means “to mark” or “to indicate,” which is legally required for many products.
• Example 10:
  • 公司内部有自己的一套设计规格。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī nèibù yǒu zìjǐ de yī tào shèjì guīgé.
  • English: The company has its own set of internal design specifications.
  • Analysis: 一套 (yī tào) is a measure word for “a set of” rules, documents, or specifications.

The most common point of confusion for learners is the difference between 规格 (guīgé) and 标准 (biāozhǔn). They can both be translated as “standard,” but they are not interchangeable.

• 规格 (guīgé) - Specifications: This describes the properties of a specific product. It's a list of attributes.
  • *Think:* A list of features. What is this thing made of? What are its dimensions?
  • *Example:* The 规格 (guīgé) of an iPhone 15 include a 6.1-inch screen, A16 Bionic chip, and 171g weight.
• 标准 (biāozhǔn) - Standard / Benchmark: This is a rule or benchmark that products are measured against. It's a pass/fail line.
  • *Think:* A rule or a quality threshold. Does this thing meet the safety requirements?
  • *Example:* All phones sold in the EU must meet the CE safety 标准 (biāozhǔn).

Incorrect Usage Example:

• Incorrect: 这个产品的标准是5cm长，3cm宽。 (Zhège chǎnpǐn de biāozhǔn shì 5cm zhǎng, 3cm kuān.)
• Why it's wrong: You are listing the product's attributes (its length and width), not a benchmark it needs to meet. You are describing *what it is*.
• Correct: 这个产品的规格是5cm长，3cm宽。 (Zhège chǎnpǐn de guīgé shì 5cm zhǎng, 3cm kuān.)

A simple way to remember: 规格 (guīgé) is about the “what,” while 标准 (biāozhǔn) is about the “if” (if it passes).

• 标准 (biāozhǔn) - The most important related term. A benchmark or required level of quality that a product must meet.
• 型号 (xínghào) - Model number or type (e.g., “iPhone 15 Pro”). A product's 型号 is defined by its specific 规格.
• 尺寸 (chǐcùn) - Dimensions, size, measurements. This is one specific part of a product's overall 规格.
• 配置 (pèizhì) - Configuration. Used especially for electronics, it describes the combination of components (CPU, RAM, etc.) that make up the 规格.
• 参数 (cānshù) - Parameters. A very technical term, often referring to the numerical values within the 规格 (e.g., “the voltage parameter is 220V”).
• 质量 (zhìliàng) - Quality. A product's 质量 is good if it performs well and meets its stated 规格.
• 要求 (yāoqiú) - Requirement, demand. A customer's 要求 will determine the necessary 规格 for a custom product.
• 性能 (xìngnéng) - Performance, function. This is the result of the product's 规格. High 规格 usually lead to high 性能.