Phones & the Internet in Chinese 手机
shǒujī
Mobile phone / the internet in Chinese are 手机 / 网络 (shǒu jī / wǎng luò).
Also searched for as: phone, internet, wifi, mobile phone.
What's always in your hand? 20 essential phones & the internet words in Mandarin Chinese, with pinyin and English. Open it in the app to hear each word, tick off the ones you know and turn them into flashcards.
The word for mobile phone in Chinese is 手机 (shǒu jī), literally a 'hand machine'. These words cover daily digital life in China, where nearly everything runs through your phone: adding friends on 微信 (Wēi xìn), WeChat, scanning a 二维码 (èr wéi mǎ), QR code, to pay or order food, and hunting for Wi-Fi and a 充电器 (chōng diàn qì), charger, when the battery runs low. You'll also learn how to make calls, send texts and download apps.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 手机 | shǒu jī | mobile phone |
| 电话 | diàn huà | phone call |
| 打电话 | dǎ diàn huà | to make a call |
| 发短信 | fā duǎn xìn | to send a text |
| 微信 | Wēi xìn | |
| 上网 | shàng wǎng | to go online |
| 网上 | wǎng shàng | online |
| 网站 | wǎng zhàn | website |
| 应用 | yìng yòng | app |
| 下载 | xià zǎi | to download |
| 密码 | mì mǎ | password |
| 充电 | chōng diàn | to charge |
| 充电器 | chōng diàn qì | charger |
| 电池 | diàn chí | battery |
| 无线网 | wú xiàn wǎng | Wi-Fi |
| 二维码 | èr wéi mǎ | QR code |
| 扫码 | sǎo mǎ | to scan a code |
| 信号 | xìn hào | signal |
| 电脑 | diàn nǎo | computer |
| 视频 | shì pín | video |
Usage tips
- To swap contacts people usually say 加个微信吧 (jiā ge Wēi xìn ba), 'let's add each other on WeChat', and then one person scans the other's QR code.
- 应用 (yìng yòng) is the standard word for an app, but in casual speech people often say 软件 (ruǎn jiàn) or simply use the English word 'app'.
- 扫码 (sǎo mǎ), 'scan the code', is everywhere in China, from paying in shops to ordering in restaurants, so you'll often hear 扫一下 (sǎo yī xià), 'just scan it'.
Common mistakes
- Saying 我的手机死了 for a dead battery → say 我的手机没电了 (wǒ de shǒu jī méi diàn le), 'my phone has no power'.
- Saying 打电话他 for 'call him' → put the person before the verb with 给: 给他打电话 (gěi tā dǎ diàn huà).
Mini dialogue
- A我的手机没电了，你带充电器了吗？Wǒ de shǒu jī méi diàn le, nǐ dài chōng diàn qì le ma?My phone's dead. Did you bring a charger?
- B带了，给你。这里也可以上网。Dài le, gěi nǐ. Zhè li yě kě yǐ shàng wǎng.Yes, here you go. You can get online here too.
- A太好了！无线网的密码是多少？Tài hǎo le! Wú xiàn wǎng de mì mǎ shì duō shao?Great! What's the Wi-Fi password?
- B在墙上，扫这个二维码就行。Zài qiáng shang, sǎo zhè ge èr wéi mǎ jiù xíng.It's on the wall. Just scan this QR code.
- A好的。对了，我们加个微信吧！Hǎo de. Duì le, wǒ men jiā ge Wēi xìn ba!OK. Oh, and let's add each other on WeChat!
Example sentences
- 我的手机没电了。My phone's battery is dead.
- 刚才有你的电话。There was a phone call for you just now.
- 我晚上给你打电话。I'll call you tonight.
- 到家了给我发短信。Send me a text when you get home.
- 我们加个微信吧。Let's add each other on WeChat.
- 这里可以上网吗？Can I go online here?
- 我常在网上买东西。I often buy things online.
- 这个网站很有用。This website is very useful.
- 这个应用可以学中文。You can learn Chinese with this app.
- 我在手机上下载了一个新游戏。I downloaded a new game on my phone.
- 我忘了我的密码。I've forgotten my password.
- 我的手机需要充电。My phone needs charging.
- 你带充电器了吗？Did you bring a charger?
- 这个电池用不了多久。This battery doesn't last long.
- 请问无线网的密码是多少？Excuse me, what's the Wi-Fi password?
- 请扫这个二维码付钱。Please scan this QR code to pay.
- 在这儿扫码就能点菜。You can scan the code here to order.
- 山上的信号不太好。The signal isn't very good up in the mountains.
- 我的电脑又坏了。My computer has broken down again.
- 我给你发了一个视频。I've sent you a video.
Practise speaking
Ready to use these words? The Phones & the internet speaking island has 8 everyday questions about phones & the internet to prepare your own answers to.