硬件 (yìngjiàn)

硬件 refers to the physical components of a computer or electronic system, such as the processor, memory, and screen. It is the counterpart of 软件 (software) and is used in both technical and general conversation.

Meanings

[noun] hardware; the physical parts and components of a computer or device

Example Sentences

这台电脑的硬件配置很高。 Zhè tái diànnǎo de yìngjiàn pèizhì hěn gāo. This computer has high hardware specifications.

硬件损坏了，需要维修。 Yìngjiàn sǔnhuài le, xūyào wéixiū. The hardware is damaged and needs repair.

新手机的硬件比旧款好多了。 Xīn shǒujī de yìngjiàn bǐ jiù kuǎn hǎo duō le. The new phone's hardware is much better than the old model.

软件问题好解决，硬件问题更麻烦。 Ruǎnjiàn wèntí hǎo jiějué, yìngjiàn wèntí gèng máfan. Software problems are easy to fix; hardware problems are more troublesome.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
硬件配置	hardware specifications
硬件故障	hardware failure
硬件升级	hardware upgrade
硬件设备	hardware equipment

Usage Notes

硬件 directly contrasts with 软件 (software). 硬 means "hard/rigid" and 件 means "component/item." In everyday speech, people might say 硬件不够好 (hardware is not good enough) when their device runs slowly due to physical limitations. The word also appears in broader non-tech contexts meaning physical facilities or infrastructure.

Memory Hook

硬 (hard/rigid) + 件 (item/component): the hard, physical items inside your device — hardware.