Chinese word

硬件

Pronunciation

Pinyinyìng jiàn

Meaning

  • nounhardware

Example

新买的硬件性能很好。xīn mǎi de yìng jiàn xìng néng hěn hǎo

The newly purchased hardware performs very well.

Illustration for 硬件 (hardware)

More examples

电脑的硬件出现了故障，需要维修。diàn nǎo de yìng jiàn chū xiàn le gù zhàng xū yào wéi xiū

The computer's hardware has developed a fault and needs repair.

Core concept

The physical equipment and parts that make a machine or electronic system work, rather than its programs or data.

Common phrases

  • 计算机硬件jì suàn jī yìng jiàn

    computer hardware

  • 硬件设备yìng jiàn shè bèi

    hardware device

  • 硬件故障yìng jiàn gù zhàng

    hardware malfunction

Similar words

软件ruǎn jiàn: The programs and data used by a computer, without a physical form.
设备shè bèi: A group of machines or other equipment prepared for a certain purpose.
部件bù jiàn: One of the parts that make up a product or machine.
配件pèi jiàn: A supplementary part or accessory added to a product.

Definition in Chinese

泛指各种电子、机械设备的有形部件或设备本身，不包括程序或数据。fàn zhǐ gè zhǒng diàn zi jī xiè shè bèi de yǒu xíng bù jiàn huò shè bèi běn shēn bù bāo kuò chéng xù huò shù jù

Word origin

The compound 硬 (yìng, "hard") + 件 (jiàn, "item") presents equipment as a solid, tangible item and naturally contrasts it with software.

Usage tips

  • Native English speakers may associate hardware mainly with computers, while Chinese applies it to the physical parts of phones, appliances, and other machines as well.

Opposites

Related words

  • 硬件设备yìng jiàn shè bèihardware devicenoun
  • 硬件厂商yìng jiàn chǎng shānghardware makernoun
  • 硬件升级yìng jiàn shēng jíhardware upgradenoun

Word lists with this word