táishìjī: 台式机 - Desktop Computer

• Keywords: taishiji, 台式机, desktop computer in Chinese, desktop PC in Chinese, Chinese for computer, 台式電腦, learn Chinese technology terms, office vocabulary Chinese
• Summary: Learn how to say “desktop computer” in Chinese with the term 台式机 (táishìjī). This guide breaks down the characters 台 (desk), 式 (style), and 机 (machine) to show how they literally mean “desk-style machine.” Discover its cultural significance in the context of China's tech boom, its practical use in daily conversation, and how it differs from related terms like `笔记本电脑` (laptop) and the general word `电脑` (computer). This entry is perfect for learners wanting to discuss technology, office equipment, or gaming in Mandarin Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tái shì jī
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (but a common and essential modern vocabulary word)
• Concise Definition: A desktop computer or desktop PC.
• In a Nutshell: 台式机 (táishìjī) is the standard Mandarin word for a desktop computer—the kind with a separate tower, monitor, and keyboard. The name is very logical and descriptive, combining the concepts of “desk,” “style,” and “machine” into one practical term.

• 台 (tái): This character most commonly means “platform,” “stand,” or “desk.” Think of a stage or a counter you place things on.
• 式 (shì): This means “style,” “type,” or “form.” It's used to classify things, like in `中式 (zhōngshì)` (Chinese-style) or `西式 (xīshì)` (Western-style).
• 机 (jī): A very common character meaning “machine” or “device.” You see it in `手机 (shǒujī)` (hand-machine/mobile phone) and `飞机 (fēijī)` (fly-machine/airplane).

When combined, 台式机 (táishìjī) literally translates to “desk-style machine,” a perfect and intuitive description of a desktop computer.

While “desktop computer” is a universal concept, the role of the 台式机 in China has a unique flavor. For many young Chinese people who grew up in the 1990s and 2000s, their first significant internet experiences were on a 台式机 in an internet cafe, or `网吧 (wǎngbā)`. These cafes were massive social hubs, especially for gaming, and cemented the image of the powerful, stationary 台式机 as the ultimate tool for entertainment and connection. In the West, the home PC revolution was more centered on the family computer in a study or bedroom. In China, the communal experience of the `网吧` gave the 台式机 a different social dimension. Today, with the dominance of laptops and smartphones, the 台式机 is less common for casual use but remains the machine of choice for specific, high-performance tasks like professional graphic design, video editing, and especially competitive gaming—a massive industry in China. It represents power, stability, and serious work or play, in contrast to the portability of other devices.

台式机 (táishìjī) is a standard, neutral term used in any context where you need to specifically refer to a desktop computer.

• In Daily Conversation: People use it when discussing what kind of computer they have, need to buy, or are having trouble with. “My desktop is too old” or “Should I get a desktop or a laptop?”
• In Business/Office Settings: It's the common term for office workstations. An IT department might ask, “Which 台式机 needs repairs?”
• In Retail and E-commerce: When shopping for electronics online or in a store, you will see products categorized under 台式机.
• In Gaming Culture: Gamers will often talk about their 台式机 specs (配置, pèizhì), discussing CPUs, graphics cards, and monitors needed for the best performance.

The term has a neutral connotation and is appropriate for both formal and informal situations.

• Example 1:
  • 我想买一台新的台式机来玩游戏。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī tái xīn de táishìjī lái wán yóuxì.
  • English: I want to buy a new desktop computer to play games.
  • Analysis: A common and straightforward sentence showing intent. Note the measure word for machines, `台 (tái)`.
• Example 2:
  • 与笔记本电脑相比，台式机的性能通常更强大。
  • Pinyin: Yǔ bǐjìběn diànnǎo xiāng bǐ, táishìjī de xìngnéng tōngcháng gèng qiángdà.
  • English: Compared to laptops, the performance of desktop computers is usually more powerful.
  • Analysis: This sentence directly compares a desktop to a laptop (`笔记本电脑`), a very common discussion point.
• Example 3:
  • 我们办公室给每个员工都配备了台式机。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen bàngōngshì gěi měi ge yuángōng dōu pèibèi le táishìjī.
  • English: Our office has equipped every employee with a desktop computer.
  • Analysis: A typical example from a business or office context. `配备 (pèibèi)` means “to equip.”
• Example 4:
  • 这台台式机太旧了，运行速度非常慢。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái táishìjī tài jiù le, yùnxíng sùdù fēicháng màn.
  • English: This desktop computer is too old; its running speed is very slow.
  • Analysis: A common complaint. `运行速度 (yùnxíng sùdù)` means “running speed” or “performance.”
• Example 5:
  • 你是自己组装的这台台式机吗？太酷了！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì zìjǐ zǔzhuāng de zhè tái táishìjī ma? Tài kù le!
  • English: Did you build this desktop computer yourself? So cool!
  • Analysis: Highlights the DIY computer-building culture. `组装 (zǔzhuāng)` means “to assemble.”
• Example 6:
  • 我的台式机主机声音很大，可能需要清理一下。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de táishìjī zhǔjī shēngyīn hěn dà, kěnéng xūyào qīnglǐ yīxià.
  • English: The tower of my desktop computer is very loud, it probably needs to be cleaned.
  • Analysis: This shows how to refer to a specific part, the `主机 (zhǔjī)` or computer tower/chassis.
• Example 7:
  • 如果你主要在家工作，我推荐你买台式机而不是笔记本。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ nǐ zhǔyào zài jiā gōngzuò, wǒ tuījiàn nǐ mǎi táishìjī ér bùshì bǐjìběn.
  • English: If you mainly work from home, I recommend you buy a desktop instead of a laptop.
  • Analysis: Practical advice distinguishing the use cases for different computer types.
• Example 8:
  • 台式机的屏幕更大，对眼睛更好。
  • Pinyin: Táishìjī de píngmù gèng dà, duì yǎnjīng gèng hǎo.
  • English: A desktop computer's screen is bigger, which is better for the eyes.
  • Analysis: A sentence stating a benefit or feature of a desktop. `屏幕 (píngmù)` is “screen.”
• Example 9:
  • 这家网吧里所有的电脑都是高端游戏台式机。
  • Pinyin: Zhè jiā wǎngbā lǐ suǒyǒu de diànnǎo dōu shì gāoduān yóuxì táishìjī.
  • English: All the computers in this internet cafe are high-end gaming desktops.
  • Analysis: Connects the term to the cultural context of internet cafes (`网吧`).
• Example 10:
  • 公司的IT部门负责维护所有的台式机。
  • Pinyin: Gōngsī de IT bùmén fùzé wéihù suǒyǒu de táishìjī.
  • English: The company's IT department is responsible for maintaining all the desktop computers.
  • Analysis: Another formal, corporate example. `维护 (wéihù)` means “to maintain.”

• 台式机 (táishìjī) vs. 电脑 (diànnǎo): `电脑` is the general word for “computer.” If you say `我的电脑坏了 (Wǒ de diànnǎo huài le)`, it could mean a desktop or a laptop. If you want to be specific, you must use 台式机.
  • Correct: 我的台式机开不了机了。(My desktop computer won't turn on.)
  • Vague: 我的电脑开不了机了。(My computer won't turn on.)
• Don't Confuse with 桌面 (zhuōmiàn): For English speakers, a “desktop” can be the physical machine or the screen background. In Chinese, these are completely different. 台式机 is ONLY the machine. `桌面 (zhuōmiàn)` means “tabletop” or the “desktop background” on your computer screen.
  • Incorrect: 我想换一个新的桌面。(This means “I want to change to a new desktop background,” NOT “a new desktop computer.”)
  • Correct: 我想换一台新的台式机。(I want to change to a new desktop computer.)
• Forgetting the full term for laptop: While many people shorten `笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo)` to `笔记本 (bǐjìběn)`, you should never shorten 台式机. There is no common shorthand for it.

• 电脑 (diànnǎo) - The general term for “computer.” 台式机 is a type of `电脑`.
• 笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo) - Laptop computer. The primary alternative to a 台式机. Often shortened to `笔记本 (bǐjìběn)`.
• 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo) - Tablet computer (e.g., an iPad).
• 主机 (zhǔjī) - Refers specifically to the computer tower/chassis/main unit of a 台式机.
• 显示器 (xiǎnshìqì) - Monitor or display screen, a key component of a 台式机 setup.
• 键盘 (jiànpán) - Keyboard.
• 鼠标 (shǔbiāo) - Mouse.
• 网吧 (wǎngbā) - Internet cafe, a place culturally significant for its rows of powerful 台式机 for gaming.
• 配置 (pèizhì) - Configuration or “specs.” Tech enthusiasts often discuss the `配置` of their 台式机.
• 组装 (zǔzhuāng) - To assemble. Often used in the context of `组装台式机` (building a custom desktop PC).