Day 23: Technology & Internet — Learn Chinese in 30 Days
Learn Chinese tech vocabulary — apps, social media, phones, and the digital landscape in China that every visitor and learner needs to know.
Today's Vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 手机 | Mobile phone / Smartphone | |
| 电脑 | Computer | |
| 网络 | Internet / Network | |
| 应用 | App (application) | |
| 微信 | ||
| 发消息 | Send a message | |
| 充电 | To charge (phone/battery) | |
| 密码 | Password | |
| 扫码 | Scan a QR code | |
| 下载 | Download |
What You’ll Learn Today
China’s digital ecosystem is unlike anywhere else in the world. Today you’ll learn the tech vocabulary that makes navigating daily life in China possible — from QR code payments to the essential apps every visitor needs.
The Essential Apps for China
Before you arrive in China, install and set up:
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微信 (Wēi Xìn) — WeChat: China’s “super app” — messaging, payments, news, mini-programs, and social media all in one. Most Chinese people conduct their daily lives through WeChat. Getting a Chinese contact to add you on WeChat is the standard way to stay connected.
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支付宝 (Zhī Fù Bǎo) — Alipay: Payment app. Accepted virtually everywhere.
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滴滴 (Dī Dī) — DiDi: China’s Uber equivalent. Now available in English.
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百度地图 (Bǎi Dù Dì Tú) — Baidu Maps: Google Maps is unreliable in China; Baidu Maps or Gaode Maps work better.
The Great Firewall
China’s internet is filtered. Google, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter/X, and most Western news sites are blocked without a VPN. Set up a VPN before entering China — they become harder to download once you’re inside.
QR Code Culture
QR codes (二维码 èr wéi mǎ) are everywhere in China — restaurant menus, payment terminals, business cards, even elevator buttons. Knowing 扫码 (sǎo mǎ — scan the code) is essential:
请扫码点餐。— Qǐng sǎo mǎ diǎn cān. — Please scan to order food. 扫码支付。— Sǎo mǎ zhī fù. — Pay by scanning.
Sentence Patterns
Pattern 1: Asking for Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi 密码是什么？— Wi-Fi mì mǎ shì shén me? — What’s the Wi-Fi password?
Pattern 2: Phone running low
我手机快没电了，可以借你的充电器吗？— Wǒ shǒu jī kuài méi diàn le, kě yǐ jiè nǐ de chōng diàn qì ma? — My phone’s almost dead, can I borrow your charger?
Pattern 3: Adding on WeChat
我们加一下微信吧！— Wǒ men jiā yī xià Wēi Xìn ba! — Let’s add each other on WeChat!
This is the modern Chinese equivalent of exchanging business cards — one of the most common phrases you’ll use.
Cultural Note
WeChat Moments (朋友圈 péngyǒu quān) is like Facebook’s news feed. Chinese people share life updates, business announcements, and articles there. When you add someone on WeChat, they can see your Moments history — adjust your privacy settings if needed.
Cashless society: China is one of the world’s most cashless societies. Some small vendors literally refuse cash. Having WeChat Pay or Alipay set up is genuinely necessary for a comfortable visit.
Practice Exercise
- How do you ask for the Wi-Fi password?
- How do you suggest adding someone on WeChat?
- What does 扫码 mean, and where will you see it?
- Your phone is at 5% battery — what do you say?
Answers: 1) Wi-Fi密码是什么？2) 我们加一下微信吧！3) “Scan the QR code” — everywhere in China for ordering, paying, etc. 4) 我手机快没电了！