While `删除` is a modern, functional term, its widespread use reflects China's rapid and deep integration with technology. It has become a household word, understood by everyone from children to grandparents who use smartphones. Unlike the English “delete,” which can be used somewhat casually, `删除` retains a slightly more formal and definitive tone. You wouldn't typically use it for trivial, physical removals. For example, you would “remove” (`去掉`, qùdiào) a stain, not “delete” it. The most significant cultural context for `删除` is in the realm of social media and online information. The act of “deleting a post” (`删除帖子`, shānchú tiězi) or “having a post deleted” (`帖子被删除了`, tiězi bèi shānchúle) is a common experience in the Chinese internet landscape. This gives the word an additional layer of meaning related to censorship and information control, a topic of constant discussion among Chinese netizens. It's a neutral verb, but the context in which it's used can be highly charged.
`删除` is most frequently encountered in the following contexts: