Chinese word

民用

Pronunciation

Pinyinmín yòng

Meaning

  • adjectivecivilian

Example

这款手机是民用的，价格便宜。zhè kuǎn shǒu jī shì mín yòng de jià gé pián yi

This phone is for civilian use and is inexpensive.

Illustration for 民用 (civilian)

More examples

这家厂商主要生产民用产品，不供应军方。zhè jiā chǎng shāng zhǔ yào shēng chǎn mín yòng chán pǐn bù gōng yìng jūn fāng

This manufacturer mainly produces civilian products and does not supply the military.

Core concept

A label for goods, services, or equipment made for ordinary members of society instead of a restricted user group.

Common phrases

  • 民用飞机mín yòng fēi jī

    civilian aircraft

  • 民用设备mín yòng shè bèi

    civilian equipment

  • 民用产品mín yòng chán pǐn

    civilian products

Similar words

家用jiā yòng: Suitable for ordinary use in a home or household.
商用shāng yòng: Suitable for business use in companies, stores, and other workplaces.
军用jūn yòng: Suitable for military equipment, forces, or operations.
公用gōng yòng: For common use in public facilities or by government offices.

Definition in Chinese

用于普通民众或社会公众使用的，区别于军用或专用的。yòng yú pǔ tōng mín zhòng huò shè huì gōng zhòng shǐ yòng de qū bié yú jūn yòng huò zhuān yòng de

Word origin

民用 (mínyòng, "civilian use") combines 民 (mín, "the people") with 用 (yòng, "use"), forming a compact label for things intended for public rather than military or restricted use.

Usage tips

  • Unlike English "civilian," which can describe a person, this adjective is especially common on labels for goods, equipment, and services.

Opposites

  • 军用jūn yòngmilitaryadjective

Related words

  • 民用化mín yòng huàcivilianizeverb

Word lists with this word