When combined, 安装 (ānzhuāng) literally means “to securely assemble/fit.” This perfectly captures the modern meaning of installing something, which involves both placing it securely (安) and fitting its parts or connecting it correctly (装).
While 安装 is a technical term, its usage in China highlights a significant cultural difference from the West, especially concerning consumer goods and services. In many Western countries, particularly the US, a strong “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) culture exists. When you buy an appliance or furniture, the expectation is often that you will handle the installation yourself. In contrast, in modern China, the concept of “包安装” (bāo ānzhuāng), or “installation included,” is extremely common. When purchasing items like air conditioners, water heaters, or large electronics, the price often includes a service where a technician, known as an “安装师傅” (ānzhuāng shīfù - installation master), comes to your home to do the work. This reflects a highly service-oriented economy where convenience is paramount. It's less about a lack of ability and more about a different set of consumer expectations. The 安装师傅 is a common and respected blue-collar professional, a symbol of the vast service infrastructure that supports China's booming e-commerce and real estate markets. For a learner, understanding this context explains why you'll frequently hear conversations about scheduling an installation or asking if the service is included.
安装 is a high-frequency word used in many modern contexts. Its meaning is consistent across these situations, but the object being installed varies.
This is one of the most common uses today. It refers to putting software onto a digital device.
This refers to the physical installation of machinery or household items that require being fixed in place or connected to power/water.
For furniture, 安装 is used when assembly is required. If you are simply placing a pre-assembled chair in a room, you would use a different verb like `放 (fàng)`.
Example 1: 我需要你帮我安装一下这个软件。 Pinyin: Wǒ xūyào nǐ bāng wǒ ānzhuāng yíxià zhège ruǎnjiàn. English: I need you to help me install this software. Analysis: A very common, everyday request. `一下 (yíxià)` is used to soften the tone, making the request more casual and polite. Example 2: 空调已经安装好了，现在很凉快。 Pinyin: Kōngtiáo yǐjīng ānzhuāng hǎo le, xiànzài hěn liángkuai. English: The air conditioner has been installed, and it's nice and cool now. Analysis: The result complement `好 (hǎo)` is used after a verb to indicate that the action has been completed successfully and to satisfaction. 安装好 (ānzhuāng hǎo) means “finished installing” or “installed properly.” Example 3: 请问安装费用是多少？ Pinyin: Qǐngwèn ānzhuāng fèiyòng shì duōshǎo? English: Excuse me, how much is the installation fee? Analysis: This is a practical question to ask when buying appliances. `费用 (fèiyòng)` means “fee” or “cost.” Example 4: 这个APP在我的手机上安装不了。 Pinyin: Zhège APP zài wǒ de shǒujī shàng ānzhuāng bu liǎo. English: This app cannot be installed on my phone. Analysis: The potential complement `不了 (bù liǎo)` indicates the inability to perform an action due to some external constraint (e.g., incompatibility, lack of space). Example 5: 说明书上说，我们必须先把架子安装在墙上。 Pinyin: Shuōmíngshū shàng shuō, wǒmen bìxū xiān bǎ jiàzi ānzhuāng zài qiáng shàng. English: The instruction manual says we must first install the shelf on the wall. Analysis: This sentence uses the `把 (bǎ)` construction to emphasize the disposal of the object, `架子 (jiàzi)`. It highlights the action of installing the shelf *onto* the wall. Example 6: 师傅，您什么时候有空过来安装热水器？ Pinyin: Shīfù, nín shénme shíhou yǒu kòng guòlái ānzhuāng rèshuǐqì? English: Sir (technician), when are you free to come over and install the water heater? Analysis: `师傅 (shīfù)` is the proper and respectful term for a skilled worker or technician. `过来 (guòlái)` means “to come over.” Example 7: 他花了整整一个下午才把新买的衣柜安装好。 Pinyin: Tā huāle zhěngzhěng yí ge xiàwǔ cái bǎ xīn mǎi de yīguì ānzhuāng hǎo. English: He spent the entire afternoon finally getting the newly bought wardrobe installed. Analysis: `整整 (zhěngzhěng)` emphasizes “an entire” afternoon. `才 (cái)` indicates that the completion of the action took longer than expected. Example 8: 为了安全，我们决定安装一个监控摄像头。 Pinyin: Wèile ānquán, wǒmen juédìng ānzhuāng yí ge jiānkòng shèxiàngtóu. English: For safety, we decided to install a security camera. Analysis: `为了 (wèile)` means “for the purpose of” or “in order to.” `监控摄像头 (jiānkòng shèxiàngtóu)` is the term for a surveillance/security camera. Example 9: 下载完成后，请双击文件开始安装。 Pinyin: Xiàzài wánchéng hòu, qǐng shuāngjī wénjiàn kāishǐ ānzhuāng. English: After the download is complete, please double-click the file to begin installation. Analysis: A typical instruction found in software installation guides. `双击 (shuāngjī)` means “to double-click.” Example 10: 这家公司提供免费送货和安装服务。 Pinyin: Zhè jiā gōngsī tígōng miǎnfèi sònghuò hé ānzhuāng fúwù. English: This company provides free delivery and installation services. Analysis: Here, 安装 is used as part of a compound noun phrase, `安装服务 (ānzhuāng fúwù)`, meaning “installation service.”
A key mistake for learners is confusing 安装 (ānzhuāng) with simpler verbs like `放 (fàng)` or `摆 (bǎi)`, which mean “to put” or “to place.”
Think of it this way: You 安装 (ānzhuāng) the bookshelf itself, but you 放 (fàng) the books on it.