píngbǎn diànnǎo: 平板电脑 - Tablet, Tablet Computer

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• Summary: Learn how to say “tablet” or “tablet computer” in Mandarin Chinese with this comprehensive guide to 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo). This entry breaks down the term's literal meaning (“flat board electric brain”), explains its common usage in China's tech-savvy culture, and provides numerous practical example sentences. Whether you're talking about an Apple iPad, a Huawei MatePad, or any other brand, understanding 平板电脑 is essential for navigating modern life and technology discussions in China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): píngbǎn diànnǎo
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK (3.0) Level 5
• Concise Definition: A portable, flat, touchscreen personal computer; a tablet computer.
• In a Nutshell: 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo) is the standard Mandarin Chinese word for a tablet computer. The term is highly descriptive and logical, literally translating to “flat board electric brain.” It's a modern, universally understood term used for any brand of tablet, from iPads to Android devices, in all contexts, from casual conversation to technical specifications.

• 平 (píng): Flat, level, even. Imagine the calm, undisturbed surface of a lake.
• 板 (bǎn): Board, plank, slab. Think of a wooden board or a slate.
• 电 (diàn): Electric, electricity. This character's older form resembled a lightning bolt, representing pure energy.
• 脑 (nǎo): Brain. The left part (月) is a radical for flesh/body parts, and the right part provides the sound and structure.

These characters combine in a very logical way. 平板 (píngbǎn) means “flat board,” describing the device's shape and form factor. 电脑 (diànnǎo) is the standard word for “computer,” literally “electric brain.” Put them together, and you get 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo)—a “flat board computer.” This is a perfect example of how modern Chinese creates new words by combining existing concepts descriptively.

While 平板电脑 is a modern tech term without deep ancient roots, its construction and use reveal a lot about modern China. Chinese often creates names for new technologies by describing their function or appearance literally, as seen with 电脑 (diànnǎo - electric brain), 手机 (shǒujī - hand machine), and 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo - flat board electric brain). This contrasts with the English “tablet,” a more abstract term repurposed from the ancient “writing tablet.” This descriptive approach makes new technological terms in Chinese remarkably intuitive and easy to grasp once you understand the component characters. In modern Chinese society, tablets are ubiquitous. They are not just for entertainment but are also a major educational tool. It is extremely common to see children using tablets for online classes, interactive homework, and educational games. This trend was massively accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, cementing the 平板电脑 as an essential household device for families with school-aged children. Therefore, the term is tied to modern concepts of education, connectivity, and family life in China.

平板电脑 is a neutral, standard term used in all situations, both formal and informal.

• Casual Conversation: In everyday speech, it's very common to shorten 平板电脑 to just 平板 (píngbǎn). This is similar to saying “tablet” instead of the full “tablet computer” in English. For example, “我的平板没电了” (Wǒ de píngbǎn méi diàn le) - “My tablet is out of battery.”
• Shopping and Tech: When buying a device, accessories, or discussing specifications, the full term 平板电脑 is often used for clarity, especially in writing or in a store.
• Business and Education: In more formal contexts like business presentations or school announcements, the full, unambiguous term 平板电脑 is standard.

The term itself is neutral. Any positive or negative connotation comes from the context of the sentence (e.g., complaining about a broken tablet vs. being excited about a new one).

• Example 1:
  • 我新买了一个平板电脑。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xīn mǎi le yí ge píngbǎn diànnǎo.
  • English: I just bought a new tablet computer.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence for expressing a new purchase.
• Example 2:
  • 我喜欢用平板电脑看电影，因为屏幕大。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xǐhuān yòng píngbǎn diànnǎo kàn diànyǐng, yīnwèi píngmù dà.
  • English: I like to watch movies on my tablet because the screen is big.
  • Analysis: This sentence explains the reason (因为, yīnwèi) for a preference, a very useful structure for learners.
• Example 3:
  • 孩子们正在用平板电脑上网课。
  • Pinyin: Háizimen zhèngzài yòng píngbǎn diànnǎo shàng wǎngkè.
  • English: The children are using tablets to attend online classes.
  • Analysis: Highlights the significant role of tablets in modern Chinese education. 正在 (zhèngzài) indicates an action in progress.
• Example 4:
  • 不好意思，我的平板电脑快没电了。
  • Pinyin: Bù hǎoyìsi, wǒ de píngbǎn diànnǎo kuài méi diàn le.
  • English: Excuse me, my tablet is almost out of battery.
  • Analysis: A practical and polite sentence you might use in a café or airport. 快…了 (kuài…le) is a common pattern for “almost” or “about to happen.”
• Example 5:
  • 这款平板电脑比笔记本电脑轻便多了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn píngbǎn diànnǎo bǐ bǐjìběn diànnǎo qīngbiàn duō le.
  • English: This model of tablet is much more portable than a laptop.
  • Analysis: Uses the 比 (bǐ) comparison structure to contrast two items. 多了 (duō le) is used to add emphasis (“much more”).
• Example 6:
  • 你能推荐一款好用的平板电脑吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng tuījiàn yì kuǎn hǎoyòng de píngbǎn diànnǎo ma?
  • English: Can you recommend a good tablet?
  • Analysis: A useful question for shopping. 款 (kuǎn) is a measure word for models or styles of products.
• Example 7:
  • 他把很多电子书下载到了他的平板电脑里。
  • Pinyin: Tā bǎ hěn duō diànzǐ shū xiàzài dào le tā de píngbǎn diànnǎo lǐ.
  • English: He downloaded many e-books onto his tablet.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the 把 (bǎ) structure, which is common when describing what someone does to an object.
• Example 8:
  • 我的第一个平板电脑是苹果的iPad。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de dì-yī ge píngbǎn diànnǎo shì Píngguǒ de iPad.
  • English: My first tablet was an Apple iPad.
  • Analysis: Shows how the generic term is used alongside a specific brand name.
• Example 9:
  • 请不要在平板电脑上安装来路不明的应用。
  • Pinyin: Qǐng búyào zài píngbǎn diànnǎo shàng ānzhuāng láilù bùmíng de yìngyòng.
  • English: Please do not install apps from unknown sources on the tablet.
  • Analysis: A more formal, instructional sentence, perhaps from a tech support guide or a parent.
• Example 10:
  • 这个平板电脑的保护壳是在网上买的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge píngbǎn diànnǎo de bǎohù ké shì zài wǎngshàng mǎi de.
  • English: The protective case for this tablet was bought online.
  • Analysis: Uses the 是…的 (shì…de) structure to emphasize the details of a past action (in this case, *where* it was bought).

• Shorthand is Key: The most common “mistake” is using the full 平板电脑 (píngbǎn diànnǎo) in casual chat where the shorter 平板 (píngbǎn) would sound more natural. While not technically wrong, it's like always saying “cellular phone” instead of just “cell” or “phone.”
  • Natural: 我想买个新平板。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi ge xīn píngbǎn.) - I want to buy a new tablet.
  • Less Natural: 我想买一个新的平板电脑。 (Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yí ge xīn de píngbǎn diànnǎo.)
• Generic vs. Brand: Do not confuse 平板电脑 with “iPad.” 平板电脑 is the generic category name for all tablets. An iPad is one type of 平板电脑. If you want to talk about an iPad specifically, you can use its English name “iPad” (which is widely understood) or its less common transliteration 爱派德 (Àipàdé).
  • Correct: 华为和苹果都生产平板电脑。 (Huáwéi hé Píngguǒ dōu shēngchǎn píngbǎn diànnǎo.) - Huawei and Apple both produce tablets.
  • Incorrect: 华为也生产iPad。 (Huáwéi yě shēngchǎn iPad.) - Huawei also produces iPads. (This is factually wrong).
• Don't Abbreviate Further: While 平板 is a common abbreviation, you cannot shorten it further to just 板 (bǎn). Saying “我的板没电了” (Wǒ de bǎn méi diàn le) would be confusing and incorrect.

• 电脑 (diànnǎo) - Computer. The parent category of devices; literally “electric brain.”
• 手机 (shǒujī) - Mobile phone. The other essential modern portable device; literally “hand machine.”
• 笔记本电脑 (bǐjìběn diànnǎo) - Laptop computer. Another type of portable computer; literally “notebook electric brain.”
• 屏幕 (píngmù) - Screen / Display. A key component of any tablet.
• 充电器 (chōngdiànqì) - Charger. An essential accessory; literally “charge electricity device.”
• 上网 (shàng wǎng) - To go online / To surf the internet. A primary function of a tablet.
• 应用 (yìngyòng) - App (Application). Also often called by the English loanword “App” (pronounced “A-P-P”).
• 下载 (xiàzài) - To download. A core action performed on a tablet.
• 电子书 (diànzǐ shū) - E-book. A very common use for tablets; literally “electronic book.”
• 数码产品 (shùmǎ chǎnpǐn) - Digital products. The broader retail category that includes tablets, phones, cameras, etc.