gāokējì: 高科技 - High-Tech, High Technology

• Keywords: 高科技, gaokeji, high tech in Chinese, high technology, Chinese technology, science and technology in China, 科技, kējì, innovation in China, Shenzhen tech
• Summary: “高科技” (gāokējì) is the direct Chinese term for “high-tech” or “high technology.” It's an essential vocabulary word for understanding modern China's rapid development, economic ambitions, and national pride. The term is used to describe everything from cutting-edge industries like AI and aerospace to consumer electronics like smartphones and drones, and it carries a strong positive connotation of being advanced, modern, and desirable.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gāokējì
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: High technology; advanced science and technology.
• In a Nutshell: “高科技” literally translates to “high science-technology.” It's not just a technical descriptor but a cultural buzzword in China, symbolizing progress, national strength, and the future. When you hear something is “很 高科技” (hěn gāokējì), it means it's impressively advanced, sophisticated, and cool. It reflects China's immense focus on becoming a global leader in innovation.

• 高 (gāo): The primary meaning is “high” or “tall.” In this context, it takes on the meaning of “advanced,” “high-level,” or “superior.”
• 科 (kē): This character is part of `科学 (kēxué)`, meaning “science.” It refers to a branch of study or a scientific field.
• 技 (jì): This character is part of `技术 (jìshù)`, meaning “technology,” “skill,” or “technique.”

The characters combine in a very logical and transparent way: 高 (High / Advanced) + 科 (Science) + 技 (Technology) = 高科技 (High Technology).

In China, “高科技” is far more than a simple category of industry; it's a pillar of national strategy and a source of widespread public pride. For decades, China was known as the “world's factory,” producing low-cost goods. The intense national focus on developing “高科技” represents a monumental shift towards becoming a creator of high-value, innovative products. This can be compared to the concept of the “Space Race” in the United States during the Cold War. While the “tech sector” in the West often evokes images of individualistic startups and venture capital, “高科技” in China is deeply intertwined with national goals, like the “Made in China 2025” (中国制造2025) initiative. It is seen as a collective, national project crucial for the country's “rejuvenation” (复兴). Therefore, a company like Huawei is not just a successful business; for many, it's a national champion and a symbol of China's “高科技” prowess. This adds a layer of patriotic significance to the term that is less pronounced in the West.

“高科技” is a ubiquitous term in daily life and business.

• In Business: It's extremely common to see companies with names like “ 高科技有限公司” ([Name] High-Tech Co., Ltd.). It's a powerful marketing word used on packaging and in advertisements to signal quality and innovation. A company being labeled a “高科技企业” (gāokējì qǐyè - high-tech enterprise) can lead to government benefits and a prestigious reputation.
• In Conversation: People use it to express admiration for a new product or gadget. If a friend shows you a new smart home device, you might exclaim, “哇, 这个太高科技了!” (Wā, zhège tài gāokējì le! - “Wow, this is so high-tech!”).
• On Social Media: Netizens frequently use the term to praise China's technological achievements, from space missions to new bullet trains. It's a keyword for posts about new scientific breakthroughs and futuristic designs.

The connotation is almost always positive and aspirational. It implies efficiency, intelligence, and modernity.

• Example 1:
  • 深圳是一个充满高科技公司的城市。
  • Pinyin: Shēnzhèn shì yí ge chōngmǎn gāokējì gōngsī de chéngshì.
  • English: Shenzhen is a city full of high-tech companies.
  • Analysis: This is a very common and factual statement. “高科技公司” (gāokējì gōngsī) is a set phrase for “high-tech company.”
• Example 2:
  • 这款手机有很多高科技功能。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn shǒujī yǒu hěn duō gāokējì gōngnéng.
  • English: This model of phone has many high-tech features.
  • Analysis: Here, “高科技” functions as a modifier for the noun “功能” (gōngnéng - features/functions), describing their advanced nature.
• Example 3:
  • 我觉得人工智能是目前最重要的高科技领域。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juéde réngōng zhìnéng shì mùqián zuì zhòngyào de gāokējì lǐngyù.
  • English: I think artificial intelligence is the most important high-tech field right now.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows how to use “高科技” to classify a specific field or sector, “高科技领域” (gāokējì lǐngyù).
• Example 4:
  • 中国的高科技发展速度让世界瞩目。
  • Pinyin: Zhōngguó de gāokējì fāzhǎn sùdù ràng shìjiè zhǔmù.
  • English: The development speed of China's high-tech sector has captured the world's attention.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects the cultural context of national pride and global recognition associated with the term.
• Example 5:
  • 这个新产品看起来很高科技，但不知道好不好用。
  • Pinyin: Zhège xīn chǎnpǐn kànqǐlái hěn gāokējì, dàn bù zhīdào hǎo bu hǎoyòng.
  • English: This new product looks very high-tech, but I don't know if it's easy to use.
  • Analysis: A classic example of using “很 (hěn)” with “高科技” to mean “very high-tech.” This structure is very common in spoken Chinese.
• Example 6:
  • 许多投资者喜欢投资高科技初创公司。
  • Pinyin: Xǔduō tóuzīzhě xǐhuān tóuzī gāokējì chuàngyè gōngsī.
  • English: Many investors like to invest in high-tech startups.
  • Analysis: “初创公司” (chuàngyè gōngsī) means “startup company.” This sentence is typical in a business or financial context.
• Example 7:
  • 未来的农业也会用到越来越多的高科技。
  • Pinyin: Wèilái de nóngyè yě huì yòngdào yuèláiyuè duō de gāokējì.
  • English: In the future, agriculture will also use more and more high technology.
  • Analysis: This shows that “高科技” is not limited to computers and can be applied to any field that incorporates advanced technology.
• Example 8:
  • 这不只是一个玩具，这是一个高科技无人机。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù zhǐshì yí ge wánjù, zhè shì yí ge gāokējì wúrénjī.
  • English: This isn't just a toy, it's a high-tech drone.
  • Analysis: “无人机” (wúrénjī) means “drone.” This example shows “高科技” directly modifying another noun to create a compound description.
• Example 9:
  • 他对任何高科技产品都非常感兴趣。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì rènhé gāokējì chǎnpǐn dōu fēicháng gǎn xìngqù.
  • English: He is very interested in any and all high-tech products.
  • Analysis: A good example of how “高科技” is used to categorize a whole class of items, “高科技产品” (gāokējì chǎnpǐn).
• Example 10:
  • 我们公司致力于高科技研发。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen gōngsī zhìlìyú gāokējì yánfā.
  • English: Our company is dedicated to high-tech R&D.
  • Analysis: “研发” (yánfā) is short for 研究与开发 (yánjiū yǔ kāifā - Research and Development). This is a formal, business-oriented sentence.

• 高科技 vs. 科技 (kējì): This is the most common point of confusion.
  • `科技 (kējì)` means “science and technology” in general. It's a broad, neutral term. A university has a `科技大学` (University of Science and Technology).
  • `高科技 (gāokējì)` means “HIGH technology.” It specifically refers to the most advanced, cutting-edge part of the tech world.
  • Incorrect: 我在大学学高科技。 (Wǒ zài dàxué xué gāokējì.) - “I study high-tech at university.”
  • Correct: 我在大学学科学技术。 (Wǒ zài dàxué xué kēxué jìshù.) or a specific field like `计算机科学 (jìsuànjī kēxué)` - “computer science”. You study a field of technology, you don't study “high-tech” as a major.
• Using it as an Adjective: In English, “high-tech” is an adjective. In Chinese, “高科技” is a noun. However, it's frequently used in a structure that feels adjectival: `很 + 高科技`.
  • Example: 这个手机很高科技。(Zhège shǒujī hěn gāokējì.) - “This phone is very high-tech.”
  • This is a common pattern where a noun can function as a stative verb. Do not try to say `这个手机是很高科技的` (x…shì hěn gāokējì de), which is grammatically awkward. The simple `很 + noun` structure is the most natural way to express this.
• Overuse: While a powerful word, describing something simple like a slightly better can opener as “高科技” would sound strange or sarcastic, just as it would in English. It's reserved for things with genuine technological sophistication.

• 科技 (kējì) - The broader, more general term for “science and technology” from which `高科技` is derived.
• 技术 (jìshù) - “Technology,” “technique,” or “skill.” More specific than `科技` and focuses on the practical application.
• 创新 (chuàngxīn) - “Innovation.” A core goal and value within the `高科技` sector.
• 先进 (xiānjìn) - An adjective meaning “advanced.” Often used to describe `高科技`, e.g., `先进的技术` (xiānjìn de jìshù).
• 黑科技 (hēikējì) - Literally “black technology.” Internet slang for technology that seems impossibly advanced or futuristic, as if from science fiction. It has a “wow” connotation.
• 人工智能 (réngōng zhìnéng) - “Artificial Intelligence (AI),” a quintessential example of a `高科技` field.
• 数码 (shùmǎ) - “Digital.” Refers to consumer electronics like digital cameras, MP3 players, etc. It's a subset of `高科技` products.
• 互联网+ (hùliánwǎng jiā) - “Internet Plus,” a government strategy to integrate internet technologies with traditional industries, a key part of the `高科技` push.
• 深圳 (Shēnzhèn) - The city in China most famous for its `高科技` industry, often called China's Silicon Valley.