Lesson 16: Media and Technology
Learn vocabulary for digital technology and media, and use 用 + tool + V and 关于 + topic constructions to discuss technology in natural Mandarin.
Overview
Technology vocabulary is essential for communicating in modern China, where digital tools are deeply integrated into daily life. This lesson covers key vocabulary for devices, apps, and digital activities, along with two productive grammar patterns: 用 + tool + V (using a tool to do something) and 关于 + topic (about/regarding a topic).
Learning Objectives
- Use vocabulary for technology: apps, downloads, software, updates, and devices
- Use 用 + instrument + V to describe tools used for actions
- Use 关于 + noun/phrase to frame topics in discussions
- Discuss digital habits and describe technology problems
Vocabulary
| Character | Pinyin | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 手机 | shǒujī | noun | mobile phone, smartphone | 用手机支付 |
| 电脑 | diànnǎo | noun | computer | 用电脑工作 |
| 应用 | yìngyòng | noun | app, application | 下载应用 |
| 下载 | xiàzài | verb | to download | 下载软件 |
| 软件 | ruǎnjiàn | noun | software | 安装软件 |
| 更新 | gēngxīn | verb/noun | to update; update | 系统更新 |
| 网络 | wǎngluò | noun | network, internet | 网络很慢 |
| 密码 | mìmǎ | noun | password | 忘记密码 |
| 搜索 | sōusuǒ | verb | to search | 在网上搜索 |
| 上传 | shàngchuán | verb | to upload | 上传图片 |
| 充电 | chōngdiàn | verb | to charge (battery) | 给手机充电 |
| 屏幕 | píngmù | noun | screen | 屏幕坏了 |
| 关于 | guānyú | prep | about, regarding | 关于这个话题 |
| 直播 | zhíbō | verb/noun | to livestream; live broadcast | 做直播 |
Grammar Focus
Pattern 1: 用 + Instrument + Verb — Using a Tool To Do
Structure: Subject + 用 + Tool/Instrument + Verb phrase
用 introduces the tool or method used to perform an action. It is equivalent to English "use...to" or "by using..." and is extremely common in technology contexts. The tool follows 用 and precedes the action verb.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我用手机扫码付款。 | Wǒ yòng shǒujī sǎo mǎ fùkuǎn. | I use my phone to scan the QR code to pay. |
| 她用电脑写报告。 | Tā yòng diànnǎo xiě bàogào. | She uses the computer to write reports. |
| 他用翻译软件学习外语。 | Tā yòng fānyì ruǎnjiàn xuéxí wàiyǔ. | He uses translation software to learn foreign languages. |
Common mistake: Placing 用 after the subject and verb. 我写报告用电脑 sounds unnatural. The correct order is 我用电脑写报告.
Pattern 2: 关于 + Topic + ... — About/Regarding
Structure: 关于 + Noun/Phrase + Main clause (or: 关于 + Noun/Phrase as a topic-setting phrase)
关于 introduces a topic that the main clause then discusses. It can appear at the start of a sentence as a topic frame, or mid-sentence. It is common in both spoken and written Chinese when changing topics or presenting information about a subject.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 关于这款新软件，你有什么看法？ | Guānyú zhè kuǎn xīn ruǎnjiàn, nǐ yǒu shénme kànfǎ? | Regarding this new software, what is your opinion? |
| 我看了一篇关于人工智能的文章。 | Wǒ kàn le yī piān guānyú réngōng zhìnéng de wénzhāng. | I read an article about artificial intelligence. |
| 关于密码安全，大家都应该注意。 | Guānyú mìmǎ ānquán, dàjiā dōu yīnggāi zhùyì. | Regarding password security, everyone should be careful. |
Common mistake: Confusing 关于 (about/regarding a topic) with 对于 (with regard to, concerning someone's perspective). 关于 introduces the subject matter; 对于 often introduces a perspective or attitude. 对于这件事，我有不同意见 (I have a different view on this matter).
Pattern 3: Technology Problem Descriptions with 出问题了/出故障了
Structure: Subject + 出问题了 / 出故障了 / 坏了 — describing device malfunction
These fixed expressions describe technology breaking down. 出问题了 is more general (something's wrong), 出故障了 is more technical (malfunction), and 坏了 is the most casual (broken).
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 我的手机充不了电，出问题了。 | Wǒ de shǒujī chōng bu liǎo diàn, chū wèntí le. | My phone can't charge, something's wrong with it. |
| 系统出故障了，软件打不开。 | Xìtǒng chū gùzhàng le, ruǎnjiàn dǎ bu kāi. | The system has malfunctioned, the software won't open. |
| 屏幕坏了，什么都看不见。 | Píngmù huài le, shénme dōu kàn bu jiàn. | The screen is broken, I can't see anything. |
Common mistake: Using 破了 for electronics. 破了 means physically torn or cracked (paper, cloth). For electronics, use 坏了, 出问题了, or 出故障了.
Dialogue
A: 你最近在用什么应用学中文？ Nǐ zuìjìn zài yòng shénme yìngyòng xué Zhōngwén? What app have you been using lately to study Chinese?
B: 我主要用一个叫"汉字宝典"的软件，每天用手机练习写字。 Wǒ zhǔyào yòng yī ge jiào "Hànzì Bǎodiǎn" de ruǎnjiàn, měitiān yòng shǒujī liànxí xiě zì. I mainly use a software called "Hanzi Baodian," and practice writing characters on my phone every day.
A: 关于那个软件，我听说过，听说很好用。 Guānyú nà ge ruǎnjiàn, wǒ tīng shuō guò, tīng shuō hěn hǎo yòng. I've heard about that software, I heard it's very useful.
B: 对，但是最近系统一直在更新，有时候会出一些小问题。 Duì, dànshì zuìjìn xìtǒng yīzhí zài gēngxīn, yǒushíhou huì chū yīxiē xiǎo wèntí. Right, but recently the system keeps updating and sometimes small issues come up.
A: 我知道，我的手机应用也是，一更新就出故障了。 Wǒ zhīdào, wǒ de shǒujī yìngyòng yě shì, yī gēngxīn jiù chū gùzhàng le. I know, same with my phone apps. Every time there's an update, something breaks.
B: 你有没有用微信做过直播？ Nǐ yǒu méiyǒu yòng Wēixìn zuòguò zhíbō? Have you ever done a livestream on WeChat?
A: 没有，但我看过关于用微信做生意的视频，很有意思。 Méiyǒu, dàn wǒ kànguò guānyú yòng Wēixìn zuò shēngyì de shìpín, hěn yǒu yìsi. No, but I've watched videos about doing business through WeChat. Very interesting.
Practice
Exercise 1: Build sentences with 用
Write complete sentences using 用 + tool:
- 手机 / 联系朋友
- 电脑 / 查资料
- 翻译软件 / 看外文文章
Exercise 2: 关于 topic sentences
Introduce each topic using 关于:
- Topic: 人工智能 — write a sentence asking for someone's opinion
- Topic: 网络安全 — write a sentence about an article you read
- Topic: 智能手机 — write a sentence explaining a problem
Exercise 3: Technology problem descriptions
Describe each problem in Chinese:
- Your phone won't turn on.
- The software crashed after updating.
- You forgot your password and can't log in.
Cultural Note
China's digital ecosystem is largely separate from the global internet due to the Great Firewall, creating a parallel set of dominant platforms. WeChat (微信, Wēixìn) functions as a super-app combining messaging, payments, social media, and mini-programs. Alipay (支付宝, Zhīfùbǎo) dominates mobile payments. Douyin (抖音, the Chinese version of TikTok) and Bilibili (哔哩哔哩) are the major short-video and long-form video platforms. Understanding these platforms is essential for anyone communicating with or working in China, as they form the backbone of digital communication, commerce, and culture.