biānyì: 编译 - To Compile, Edit and Translate

• Keywords: biānyì, 编译, compile Chinese, compiler in Chinese, programming in Chinese, Chinese tech terms, computer science Chinese, compile code, edit and translate, 翻译 vs 编译.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese tech term 编译 (biānyì), the standard word for “to compile” in programming. This guide breaks down its characters, explores its literal meaning of “edit and translate,” and provides numerous practical examples for software development contexts. Understand how this modern term differs from simple translation (翻译) and editing (编辑), and see how it reflects China's deep integration into the global technology landscape.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): biānyì
• Part of Speech: Verb
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: To convert computer source code into machine code; to edit and translate.
• In a Nutshell: While its characters literally mean “to organize and translate,” 编译 (biānyì) is the go-to, indispensable term in modern Chinese for “to compile” in a computer science context. Think of it as the magic step where human-readable programming language is transformed into a language the computer's processor can directly execute. Its primary use is identical to “compile” in English programming jargon.

• 编 (biān): This character means to weave, to arrange, or to edit. The silk radical (纟) on the left hints at an origin of weaving threads together. In a modern sense, it means organizing materials or information into a coherent whole.
• 译 (yì): This character means to translate or interpret. The speech radical (讠) on the left clearly links it to language and communication.

When combined, 编译 (biānyì) creates a wonderfully descriptive metaphor for compiling code: it's the process of organizing (编) the source code and translating (译) it from a high-level language (like Python or C++) into a low-level machine language.

• A Modern Term for a Modern World: Unlike terms rooted in ancient philosophy, `编译` is a product of the 20th and 21st centuries. Its widespread use is a direct reflection of China's rise as a global technology powerhouse. The term is part of the standard lexicon for millions of Chinese software engineers, students, and tech professionals.
• Metaphorical Differences: The English word “compile” comes from the Latin `compilare`, meaning “to heap up” or “plunder.” The metaphor is one of gathering and piling things together. In contrast, the Chinese 编译 (biānyì) uses the metaphor of “editing and translating.” This offers a slightly different, more linguistic perspective on the same technical process. It beautifully captures the idea that compiling isn't just bundling, but a sophisticated act of structural transformation and language conversion, which is arguably a more accurate description of what a modern compiler does.

This is the most common context for `编译`. It is used formally and informally among developers, in technical documentation, university courses, and user interfaces of development tools. Its meaning is a direct one-to-one equivalent of the English “compile.”

• Connotation: Neutral, technical.
• Formality: Used in all levels of formality within the tech industry.

In a more literary or academic context, `编译` can refer to the act of compiling a work by editing and translating various sources. For example, creating a new textbook by adapting and translating material from several foreign books could be described as `编译`. This usage is much less frequent than the programming meaning.

• Connotation: Neutral, academic.
• Formality: Formal.

• Example 1:
  • 我的代码编译通过了！
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de dàimǎ biānyì tōngguò le!
  • English: My code compiled successfully!
  • Analysis: A very common and triumphant phrase for any programmer. `通过 (tōngguò)` means “to pass” or “get through.”
• Example 2:
  • 你需要先安装一个C++编译器。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xūyào xiān ānzhuāng yī gè C++ biānyìqì.
  • English: You need to first install a C++ compiler.
  • Analysis: Here, `编译` is part of the noun `编译器 (biānyìqì)`, which means “compiler” (the tool). `器 (qì)` is a common suffix for tools or devices.
• Example 3:
  • 编译过程可能会需要几分钟。
  • Pinyin: Biānyì guòchéng kěnéng huì xūyào jǐ fēnzhōng.
  • English: The compilation process might take a few minutes.
  • Analysis: `过程 (guòchéng)` means “process.” This sentence is typical when dealing with large, complex software projects.
• Example 4:
  • 为什么这个程序编译出错了？
  • Pinyin: Wèi shénme zhè ge chéngxù biānyì chū cuò le?
  • English: Why did this program have a compilation error?
  • Analysis: `出错了 (chū cuò le)` is a standard way to say “an error occurred.” This is the flip side of Example 1 and an equally common cry for help.
• Example 5:
  • 他正在学习编译原理。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhèngzài xuéxí biānyì yuánlǐ.
  • English: He is studying compiler theory.
  • Analysis: `原理 (yuánlǐ)` means “principle” or “theory.” This refers to the academic subject in computer science.
• Example 6:
  • 这份报告是由多个来源的资料编译而成的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè fèn bàogào shì yóu duō ge láiyuán de zīliào biānyì ér chéng de.
  • English: This report was compiled from materials from multiple sources.
  • Analysis: This is an example of the less common, non-programming usage. It implies both editing and translating/synthesizing information.
• Example 7:
  • 你的编译选项设置对吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de biānyì xuǎnxiàng shèzhì duì ma?
  • English: Are your compiler options set correctly?
  • Analysis: In programming, `选项 (xuǎnxiàng)` means “options” and `设置 (shèzhì)` means “settings.” This is a very practical sentence when debugging complex build issues.
• Example 8:
  • 我们换一个编译器试试。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen huàn yī gè biānyìqì shìshi.
  • English: Let's try switching to a different compiler.
  • Analysis: `换 (huàn)` means “to change” or “to switch.” `试试 (shìshi)` means “to give it a try.”
• Example 9:
  • 编译后的文件在哪里？
  • Pinyin: Biānyì hòu de wénjiàn zài nǎlǐ?
  • English: Where is the compiled file?
  • Analysis: `…后的 (…hòu de)` means “the … that comes after,” so `编译后的文件 (biānyì hòu de wénjiàn)` means “the post-compilation file” or “the compiled file.”
• Example 10:
  • 这个库不支持交叉编译。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge kù bù zhīchí jiāochā biānyì.
  • English: This library does not support cross-compilation.
  • Analysis: `交叉编译 (jiāochā biānyì)` is the technical term for “cross-compilation,” a more advanced programming concept. This shows how `编译` is used as a building block for more complex terms.

• `编译 (biānyì)` vs. `翻译 (fānyì)` vs. `编辑 (biānjí)`:
  • `编译 (biānyì)`: To compile code. In its secondary meaning, to edit and translate materials into a new work.
  • `翻译 (fānyì)`: To translate (languages). This is for human languages only. You translate an English book into Chinese with `翻译`, you do not `编译` it.
  • `编辑 (biānjí)`: To edit. This is for correcting, arranging, and preparing text or media.
  • Incorrect Usage: “请你帮我编译这份英文合同。” (Please help me compile this English contract.)
  • Why it's wrong: This is a language translation task. The correct verb is `翻译 (fānyì)`.
• Compiling Code vs. Compiling Information:
  • In English, we can say “I compiled a list of the best restaurants.” This means “to gather” or “to produce by collecting information.” Chinese does not use `编译` for this.
  • For gathering/summarizing information, you should use terms like `整理 (zhěnglǐ)` (to put in order) or `汇总 (huìzǒng)` (to summarize, to collect).
  • Incorrect Usage: “我编译了一份客户名单。” (I compiled a customer list.)
  • Why it's wrong: This is about data collection, not code compilation. The correct sentence would be: “我整理了一份客户名单。” (Wǒ zhěnglǐ le yī fèn kèhù míngdān.)

• 编译器 (biānyìqì) - The tool that performs the compilation; a “compiler.”
• 翻译 (fānyì) - To translate. The “translate” part of `编译`'s literal meaning.
• 编辑 (biānjí) - To edit. The “edit/organize” part of `编译`'s literal meaning.
• 解释器 (jiěshìqì) - An interpreter. In programming, this is the alternative to a compiler.
• 调试 (tiáoshì) - To debug. The process of finding and fixing errors, often after a failed compilation.
• 代码 (dàimǎ) - (Source) code. The input for the `编译` process.
• 程序 (chéngxù) - Program. The intended output of the `编译` process.
• 运行 (yùnxíng) - To run (a program). What you do after you successfully `编译`.
• 源代码 (yuándàimǎ) - Source code. A more formal term for `代码`.
• 构建 (gòujiàn) - To build. A broader term in software that often includes compiling as one of its steps.