When combined, 无人 (wúrén) means “unmanned” or “no person,” and 机 (jī) refers to the machine itself. Therefore, 无人机 (wúrénjī) translates directly and perfectly to “unmanned machine,” or more specifically in context, “unmanned aerial vehicle.”
The term 无人机 (wúrénjī) is deeply tied to China's identity as a global technology leader. Unlike in some Western countries where the word “drone” might first evoke military or surveillance connotations, in China, 无人机 is overwhelmingly associated with commercial innovation, consumer technology, and national pride. This is largely due to the dominance of the Shenzhen-based company 大疆 (Dàjiāng), known internationally as DJI. DJI controls over 70% of the global consumer drone market. For many Chinese people, 无人机 is synonymous with DJI's sleek, white quadcopters used for stunning aerial photography (航拍, hángpāi) and videography. Comparing it to a Western concept, think of how “Google” became a verb for searching online. In China, while not a verb, the brand 大疆 (Dàjiāng) is so intertwined with the concept of a consumer drone that the two are almost interchangeable in casual conversation. The term, therefore, carries a strong positive connotation of modernity, creativity, and China's technological prowess on the world stage.
无人机 (wúrénjī) is a common word used in a wide variety of modern contexts. Its connotation is generally neutral to positive, and it's used in both formal and informal settings.