shūrù: 输入 - Input, To Enter

• Keywords: 输入, shuru, shūrù, Chinese for input, how to say enter in Chinese, Chinese keyboard input, data entry in Chinese, 输入法 shurufa, Chinese character input, typing in Chinese, import in Chinese
• Summary: The Chinese word 输入 (shūrù) means “to input” or “to enter,” and is a fundamental term in the digital age. It refers to the action of entering information—such as text, passwords, or data—into a computer or other electronic device. Beyond technology, it can also mean “to import” in an economic context. Understanding 输入 (shūrù) is essential for anyone using technology in Chinese, as it's directly related to the unique methods used for typing Chinese characters.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shūrù
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To input, enter, or import data, information, or text.
• In a Nutshell: Think of 输入 (shūrù) as the action of “feeding” information into a system. Every time you type a search query, enter a password, or fill out a digital form, you are performing the action of 输入. It's the bridge between your thoughts and the digital world, a concept that has special significance in China due to the complex nature of its writing system.

• 输 (shū): This character's core meaning is “to transport” or “to transmit.” Imagine it as moving goods from one point to another. While it can also mean “to lose (a game),” in this context, it clearly means “transport.”
• 入 (rù): This is a simple and ancient character that pictorially represents something entering or going into a space, like a wedge or an arrow. It means “to enter” or “to go in.”

When combined, 输 (shū) + 入 (rù) creates the literal meaning “to transport in.” This perfectly captures the modern concept of moving information from an external source (like your brain or a keyboard) and putting it *into* a digital system.

The term 输入 (shūrù) is deeply tied to China's modern technological identity. Its cultural significance doesn't come from ancient philosophy, but from the very practical challenge of adapting a character-based language to a key-based digital world. In the West, typing is a straightforward one-to-one process: one key press equals one letter. For Chinese, this is impossible with thousands of characters. This led to the development of 输入法 (shūrùfǎ) - “input methods.” The most common method, Pinyin, requires the user to 输入 the phonetic sounds of a character and then select the correct ideogram from a list of homophones. This daily digital ritual makes the concept of 输入 more conscious and layered for a Chinese speaker than “typing” is for an English speaker. It's a constant process of translation (from sound to character) and selection. The evolution of these input methods from clunky systems to incredibly predictive and efficient tools is a source of modern technological pride and a defining feature of contemporary Chinese digital life. This small, extra cognitive step is a fundamental difference in how Chinese and Western cultures interact with their computers and phones.

输入 is a high-frequency word used primarily in two domains: technology and economics.

This is its most common usage. It's used in any situation involving entering data into a device. The tone is neutral and functional.

• Typing Text: “I'm inputting/typing characters.” (我在输入汉字。)
• Passwords: “Please enter your password.” (请输入密码。)
• Search Bars: “Input your search query here.” (在这里输入你的搜索内容。)
• Data Entry: “He is responsible for inputting customer data.” (他负责输入客户数据。)

In a more formal context, 输入 means “to import.” It often refers to the import of capital, technology, or sometimes goods (though 进口 (jìnkǒu) is more common for physical goods).

• Importing Capital: “Our company needs to input foreign capital.” (我们公司需要输入国外资本。)
• Importing Technology: “They input advanced technology from Germany.” (他们从德国输入了先进技术。)

Example 1:

• 请在下面输入您的用户名和密码。
• Pinyin: Qǐng zài xiàmiàn shūrù nín de yònghùmíng hé mìmǎ.
• English: Please enter your username and password below.
• Analysis: A very common and standard instruction seen on virtually every login page in China. 输入 is the key verb here.

Example 2:

• 这个输入法不好用，我想换一个。
• Pinyin: Zhège shūrùfǎ bù hǎoyòng, wǒ xiǎng huàn yīgè.
• English: This input method isn't good to use, I want to change to a different one.
• Analysis: This shows the related term 输入法 (shūrùfǎ), “input method,” which is central to the experience of typing in Chinese.

Example 3:

• 你刚才输入的手机号码是错的。
• Pinyin: Nǐ gāngcái shūrù de shǒujī hàomǎ shì cuò de.
• English: The phone number you just entered is incorrect.
• Analysis: Here, 输入 is used to describe a past action. The structure `输入的…` means “the … that was inputted.”

Example 4:

• 这个程序需要输入大量的数据。
• Pinyin: Zhège chéngxù xūyào shūrù dàliàng de shùjù.
• English: This program requires the input of a large amount of data.
• Analysis: This sentence shows 输入 used in the context of data processing and programming.

Example 5:

• 我用语音输入比打字快多了。
• Pinyin: Wǒ yòng yǔyīn shūrù bǐ dǎzì kuài duō le.
• English: Using voice input is much faster for me than typing.
• Analysis: This highlights that 输入 is not limited to keyboards; it can refer to any method of putting information into a system, including voice.

Example 6:

• 我们计划从国外输入这项新技术。
• Pinyin: Wǒmen jìhuà cóng guówài shūrù zhè xiàng xīn jìshù.
• English: We plan to import this new technology from abroad.
• Analysis: An example of 输入 used in a business/economic context to mean “import,” specifically for something intangible like technology.

Example 7:

• ATM机提示我输入取款金额。
• Pinyin: ATM jī tíshì wǒ shūrù qǔkuǎn jīn'é.
• English: The ATM prompted me to enter the withdrawal amount.
• Analysis: A practical, everyday example of interacting with a machine that uses the term 输入.

Example 8:

• 在百度上输入“长城”，你会得到很多信息。
• Pinyin: Zài Bǎidù shàng shūrù “Chángchéng”, nǐ huì dédào hěnduō xìnxī.
• English: If you input “Great Wall” on Baidu, you will get a lot of information.
• Analysis: Shows the direct usage for a web search, which is a daily action for millions.

Example 9:

• 为了发展经济，我们需要输入更多的人才。
• Pinyin: Wèile fāzhǎn jīngjì, wǒmen xūyào shūrù gèng duō de réncái.
• English: In order to develop the economy, we need to import more talented people.
• Analysis: Here, 输入 is used more abstractly to mean bringing in “talent” or skilled professionals, treating them as a valuable input for the economy.

Example 10:

• 电脑的输入设备包括键盘和鼠标。
• Pinyin: Diànnǎo de shūrù shèbèi bāokuò jiànpán hé shǔbiāo.
• English: A computer's input devices include the keyboard and mouse.
• Analysis: In this sentence, 输入 functions as an adjective modifying “设备” (shèbèi, device).

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 输入 (shūrù) with words that mean “to enter” in a physical sense.

• `输入 (shūrù)` vs. `进入 (jìnrù)`:
  • 输入 (shūrù): For information, data, text. You 输入 a password.
  • 进入 (jìnrù): For physically entering a space. You 进入 a room (进入房间), a building (进入大楼), or a country (进入中国).
  • Easy way to remember: You 输入 (shūrù) your password *in order to* 进入 (jìnrù) the website.
  • Incorrect: `我输入了那个房间。` (Wǒ shūrù le nàge fángjiān.) → This sounds like you tried to type the room into a computer.
  • Correct: `我进入了那个房间。` (Wǒ jìnrù le nàge fángjiān.)
• `输入 (shūrù)` vs. `进口 (jìnkǒu)`:
  • While 输入 can mean “to import,” 进口 (jìnkǒu) is the more specific and common term for importing physical goods in international trade.
  • Use 输入 for importing abstract things like technology, capital, ideas, or data.
  • Use 进口 for importing concrete things like cars, food, or oil.
  • Example: You would `进口` soybeans (进口大豆) but `输入` new management concepts (输入新的管理理念).

• 输入法 (shūrùfǎ) - The most important related term. An “input method” used to type Chinese characters (e.g., Pinyin, Wubi).
• 输出 (shūchū) - The direct antonym of 输入. It means “output” (e.g., the results on a screen, exported goods).
• 进入 (jìnrù) - A common point of confusion. It means “to enter” a physical place, not to enter data.
• 进口 (jìnkǒu) - A more specific term for “to import,” typically used for physical goods in trade.
• 打字 (dǎzì) - “To type.” The physical action a person performs to achieve the result of 输入.
• 密码 (mìmǎ) - “Password.” One of the most common things you 输入.
• 数据 (shùjù) - “Data.” The information that is being 输入.
• 键盘 (jiànpán) - “Keyboard.” A primary device used for 输入.
• 登录 (dēnglù) - “To log in.” The process that requires you to 输入 a username and password.