yáokòng: 遥控 - Remote Control

• Keywords: yáokòng, 遥控, remote control in Chinese, Chinese for TV remote, control from a distance Chinese, remote-controlled car, drone Chinese, 遥控器, yáokòngqì, manipulate in Chinese
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word 遥控 (yáokòng), which means “remote control.” This versatile term is used for everything from changing TV channels and flying drones to figuratively describing someone being controlled or manipulated from a distance. This guide breaks down its literal and metaphorical uses, provides practical examples, and explains common mistakes for English-speaking learners.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): yáokòng
• Part of Speech: Noun, Verb
• HSK Level: HSK 5
• Concise Definition: To control from a distance; a remote control.
• In a Nutshell: 遥控 (yáokòng) is a very logical and transparent word. It combines “distant” (遥) and “control” (控) to literally mean “distant control.” In its most common usage, it refers to any remote control device you use for your TV, air conditioner, or a toy car. It can also be used as a verb, meaning the action of controlling something remotely.

• 遥 (yáo): This character means “distant,” “far away,” or “remote.” The 辶 (chuò) radical on the left is the “walk” radical, implying movement over a distance.
• 控 (kòng): This character means “to control,” “to command,” or “to manage.” The 扌 (tí shǒu páng) on the left is the “hand” radical, indicating that control is an action often performed with the hands.
• When combined, 遥控 (yáokòng) creates a clear and direct meaning: “to control with your hand from a distance.”

While 遥控 (yáokòng) is primarily a modern, technological term, its metaphorical usage taps into important cultural concepts. When used to describe controlling a person, it carries a strong negative connotation of manipulation and lack of autonomy. A good Western comparison is the phrase “pulling the strings.” Just as a puppeteer controls a marionette, someone who is 遥控 (yáokòng)-ing another person is making decisions for them from behind the scenes. This can be seen in various contexts:

• Family: An overbearing parent might be said to 遥控 their adult child's life choices.
• Business: A retired CEO might still 遥控 the company through a hand-picked successor.
• Politics: A powerful figure might 遥控 a politician who serves as their public face.

This metaphorical use highlights a sensitivity to undue influence and the value placed on genuine authority versus manipulated power. While “networking” (`关系 guānxi`) can be a neutral or positive form of influence, 遥控 is almost always critical, implying a master-puppet relationship.

This is the most frequent use of the word. It's an everyday term for technology.

• As a noun: It often refers to the remote control device itself. The more complete and formal noun is `遥控器 (yáokòngqì)`, but `遥控` is very common in spoken Chinese.
  • `我的电视遥控找不到了。` (Wǒ de diànshì yáokòng zhǎo bu dào le.) - I can't find my TV remote.
• As a verb: It refers to the action of controlling something remotely.
  • `他正在遥控一架无人机。` (Tā zhèngzài yáokòng yī jià wúrénjī.) - He is remote-controlling a drone.
• As an adjective: It can describe an object as being “remote-controlled.”
  • `我给儿子买了一辆遥控汽车。` (Wǒ gěi érzi mǎi le yī liàng yáokòng qìchē.) - I bought my son a remote-controlled car.

This use is less common in daily conversation but appears in dramas, news, and more serious discussions. It is always a verb and carries a negative connotation.

• `很多人认为，他只是一个被幕后黑手遥控的傀儡。` (Hěn duō rén rènwéi, tā zhǐshì yī ge bèi mùhòu hēishǒu yáokòng de kuǐlěi.) - Many people believe he is just a puppet being remote-controlled by a hidden mastermind.
• `她试图遥控她成年子女的生活，这让他们很反感。` (Tā shìtú yáokòng tā chéngnián zǐnǚ de shēnghuó, zhè ràng tāmen hěn fǎngǎn.) - She tries to remote-control her adult children's lives, which they resent.

• Example 1:
  • 空调的遥控在哪儿？我有点儿冷。
  • Pinyin: Kōngtiáo de yáokòng zài nǎ'er? Wǒ yǒudiǎnr lěng.
  • English: Where is the remote for the air conditioner? I'm a little cold.
  • Analysis: A very common, everyday use of 遥控 as a noun referring to the remote control device.
• Example 2:
  • 这个遥控好像没电了，换个电池吧。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge yáokòng hǎoxiàng méi diàn le, huàn ge diànchí ba.
  • English: It seems like this remote is out of battery, let's change it.
  • Analysis: Here, the measure word `个 (ge)` is used with 遥控 (the noun).
• Example 3:
  • 孩子们在公园里玩遥控飞船。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ wán yáokòng fēichuán.
  • English: The children are playing with remote-controlled spaceships in the park.
  • Analysis: 遥控 is used adjectivally to describe the type of toy.
• Example 4:
  • 现代战争越来越依赖遥控武器。
  • Pinyin: Xiàndài zhànzhēng yuèláiyuè yīlài yáokòng wǔqì.
  • English: Modern warfare relies more and more on remote-controlled weapons.
  • Analysis: Shows a more formal and serious context for the literal meaning.
• Example 5:
  • 你可以用手机App来遥控家里的智能设备。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ yòng shǒujī App lái yáokòng jiālǐ de zhìnéng shèbèi.
  • English: You can use a phone app to remotely control the smart devices in your home.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates 遥控 used as a verb in a modern tech context.
• Example 6:
  • 他虽然退休了，但据说仍在幕后遥控公司的决策。
  • Pinyin: Tā suīrán tuìxiū le, dàn jùshuō réng zài mùhòu yáokòng gōngsī de juécè.
  • English: Although he has retired, it's said he still remote-controls the company's decisions from behind the scenes.
  • Analysis: A classic example of the metaphorical, negative use of 遥控 as a verb.
• Example 7:
  • 父母不应该试图遥控孩子的人生选择。
  • Pinyin: Fùmǔ bù yīnggāi shìtú yáokòng háizi de rénshēng xuǎnzé.
  • English: Parents should not try to remote-control their children's life choices.
  • Analysis: Another figurative example, this time in a family context.
• Example 8:
  • 这款新型扫地机器人可以通过语音进行遥控。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn xīnxíng sǎodì jīqìrén kěyǐ tōngguò yǔyīn jìnxíng yáokòng.
  • English: This new model of robot vacuum can be controlled remotely via voice.
  • Analysis: `进行遥控 (jìnxíng yáokòng)` is a slightly more formal way to say “carry out remote control.”
• Example 9:
  • 我弟弟的生日礼物是一辆红色的遥控赛车。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ dìdi de shēngrì lǐwù shì yī liàng hóngsè de yáokòng sàichē.
  • English: My younger brother's birthday present was a red remote-controlled race car.
  • Analysis: A simple, clear example of 遥控 used as an adjective.
• Example 10:
  • 那位领导者被批评为只是一个被外国势力遥控的傀儡。
  • Pinyin: Nà wèi lǐngdǎozhě bèi pīpíng wéi zhǐshì yī ge bèi wàiguó shìlì yáokòng de kuǐlěi.
  • English: That leader was criticized as being merely a puppet remote-controlled by foreign powers.
  • Analysis: A strong, political example of the metaphorical use, using the passive structure `被 (bèi)`.

• Mistake 1: Confusing `遥控 (yáokòng)` with `控制 (kòngzhì)`.
  • `控制 (kòngzhì)` is the general word for “control.” It can be used for abstract things (control emotions, control a situation) or direct physical control.
  • `遥控 (yáokòng)` is *specifically* for control *from a distance*.
  • Correct: 你要控制你的脾气。 (Nǐ yào kòngzhì nǐ de píqi.) - You need to control your temper.
  • Incorrect: 你要遥控你的脾气。 (This is nonsensical).
  • Correct: 我用遥控器控制电视。 (Wǒ yòng yáokòngqì kòngzhì diànshì.) - I use the remote to control the TV. Here, `控制` is the general verb, and `遥控器` is the specific tool.
• Mistake 2: Using `遥控` as a noun without context.
  • While `遥控` is often used as a shorthand for the remote control device, the full, unambiguous term is `遥控器 (yáokòngqì)`. If you say `给我那个遥控` (“Give me that remote”), it's perfectly clear. But in more formal or written Chinese, `遥控器` is better.
  • Spoken: 遥控给我。 (Yáokòng gěi wǒ.) - Give me the remote. (Fine)
  • Written/Formal: 请把遥控器递给我。 (Qǐng bǎ yáokòngqì dì gěi wǒ.) - Please pass me the remote control. (Better)

• 遥控器 (yáokòngqì) - The full and formal noun for “remote control device.” `器 (qì)` means tool or device.
• 控制 (kòngzhì) - The general verb “to control.” 遥控 is a specific type of 控制.
• 操纵 (cāozòng) - To operate, to control, or to manipulate. It often has a negative connotation, similar to the figurative use of 遥控, but implies more direct and skillful handling.
• 远程 (yuǎnchéng) - Remote, long-distance. This is an adjective describing a state or type of activity, such as `远程工作` (remote work) or `远程教育` (distance education). 遥控 is the *action* of controlling from a distance.
• 无人机 (wúrénjī) - Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), or drone. A common device that is operated by 遥控.
• 电视 (diànshì) - Television. One of the most common household items associated with a 遥控.