Chinese word

耳机

Pronunciation

Pinyiněr jī

Meaning

  • nounearphones

Example

我找不到我的耳机了。wǒ zhǎo bú dào wǒ de ěr jī le

I can't find my earphones.

Illustration for 耳机 (earphones)

More examples

他在公共汽车上戴着耳机听歌。tā zài gōng gòng qì chē shàng dài zhe ěr jī tīng gē

He is wearing earphones and listening to songs on the bus.

Core concept

A portable personal audio device worn in or over the ears for private listening, with or without a cable.

Common phrases

  • 戴耳机dài ěr jī

    put on earphones

  • 插上耳机chā shàng ěr jī

    plug in earphones

  • 用耳机听音乐yòng ěr jī tīng yīn yuè

    listen to music through earphones

Similar words

入耳式耳机rù ěr shì ěr jī: A compact device inserted into the ear canal to fit closely, block outside noise, and deliver sound.
头戴式耳机tóu dài shì ěr jī: A large device that covers both ears and stays in place with a band across the head.
无线耳机wú xiàn ěr jī: A personal listening device that connects to an audio source by radio rather than by cable.
耳麦ěr mài: A headset with a built-in microphone for two-way talking in calls or live streams.

Definition in Chinese

放在或罩在耳朵上，用于个人听音的便携式设备，可以是入耳式或头戴式的有线或无线耳机。fàng zài huò zhào zài ér duǒ shàng yòng yú gè rén tīng yīn de biàn xié shì shè bèi ké yǐ shì rù ěr shì huò tóu dài shì de yǒu xiàn huò wú xiàn ěr jī

Word origin

耳 (ěr, "ear") + 机 (jī, "machine") gives the literal idea of an ear-related device and names equipment worn for listening.

Usage tips

  • English often chooses a more specific term according to size, fit, or microphone, while Chinese uses this broad word for many personal listening devices.

Other meanings

  • headphonesnoun
  • headsetnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 耳机线ěr jī xiànearphone cablenoun
  • 耳机插孔ěr jī chā kǒngearphone socketnoun

Word lists with this word