Lesson 5: Science & Technology
Engage with Chinese scientific discourse, technology journalism, and research communication using specialized vocabulary and evidence-based grammar patterns.
Overview
Science and technology reporting in Chinese demands a vocabulary set that blends technical precision with accessible journalism. At the B2 level, learners are expected to read and comprehend articles in publications like Science and Technology Daily (科技日报) or technology sections of major newspapers, and to discuss recent scientific developments with appropriate terminology. This lesson addresses the language of scientific evidence, research claims, and technology policy — areas where China has increasingly become a global leader whose discourse matters internationally.
Learning Objectives
- Deploy evidence-framing patterns 根据...表明 and 研究发现 to report scientific claims accurately
- Use a core set of high-frequency science and technology vocabulary with correct collocations
- Distinguish between 发现, 发明, and 研发 as different aspects of scientific activity
- Analyze the rhetorical structure of a Chinese science news article
- Write a short science news paragraph summarizing a technological development
Key Vocabulary
| Character | Pinyin | Type | Meaning | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 基因 | jīyīn | N | gene | 基因编辑 = gene editing; 基因组 = genome |
| 人工智能 | réngōng zhìnéng | N | artificial intelligence | AI; often abbreviated as 人工智能 or 智能 in compound terms |
| 量子 | liàngzǐ | N/Adj | quantum | 量子计算 = quantum computing; 量子通信 = quantum communication |
| 纳米 | nàmǐ | N/Adj | nanometer; nano- | 纳米技术 = nanotechnology; 纳米材料 = nanomaterials |
| 航天 | hángtiān | N | spaceflight, aerospace | 航天员 = astronaut; 航天技术 = space technology |
| 核能 | hénéng | N | nuclear energy | 核能发电 = nuclear power generation |
| 研发 | yánfā | V/N | to research and develop; R&D | 研发投入 = R&D investment |
| 突破 | tūpò | V/N | to break through; breakthrough | 取得突破 = achieve a breakthrough |
| 应用 | yìngyòng | V/N | to apply; application | 实际应用 = practical application |
| 可再生 | kě zàishēng | Adj | renewable | 可再生能源 = renewable energy |
| 前沿 | qiányán | N/Adj | frontier, cutting edge | 科技前沿 = frontier of science and technology |
| 创新 | chuàngxīn | V/N | to innovate; innovation | A key term in Chinese science policy discourse |
| 攻关 | gōngguān | V | to tackle a key problem | Implies intense focused effort on a difficult challenge |
| 转化 | zhuǎnhuà | V/N | to transform, convert; transformation | 成果转化 = technology transfer/commercialization |
Grammar Focus
Pattern 1: 根据...表明 (Evidence-Based Claim)
Structure: 根据 + Source of Evidence, + Subject + 表明 + Claim / 根据...的研究, 结果表明...
Explanation: This pattern introduces a claim as grounded in specific evidence. 根据 ("based on," "according to") identifies the evidentiary basis, while 表明 ("indicates," "shows") presents the finding as demonstrated rather than merely asserted. This combination is a hallmark of scientific reporting in Chinese. It differs from 说 or 认为 in that it attributes the claim to data or research rather than a person's opinion. 表明 implies that the evidence speaks for itself.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 根据最新研究数据，表明人工智能在医疗诊断方面的准确率已超过专科医生。 | Gēnjù zuìxīn yánjiū shùjù, biǎomíng réngōng zhìnéng zài yīliáo zhěnduàn fāngmiàn de zhǔnquè lǜ yǐ chāoguò zhuānkē yīshēng. | Based on the latest research data, it is shown that AI accuracy in medical diagnosis now exceeds that of specialist physicians. |
| 根据航天局发布的报告，表明该探测器已成功进入预定轨道。 | Gēnjù hángtiān jú fābù de bàogào, biǎomíng gāi tàncèqì yǐ chénggōng jìnrù yùdìng guǐdào. | According to the report released by the space agency, it is indicated that the probe has successfully entered its designated orbit. |
| 根据多项临床试验的结果，表明这种基因疗法安全有效。 | Gēnjù duō xiàng línchuáng shìyàn de jiéguǒ, biǎomíng zhè zhǒng jīyīn liáofǎ ānquán yǒuxiào. | Based on the results of multiple clinical trials, it is shown that this gene therapy is safe and effective. |
Pattern 2: 研究发现 (Research Discovery)
Structure: 研究发现, + Claim / (机构/学者) + 的研究发现, + Claim
Explanation: 研究发现 ("research has found," "the study found") is a fixed phrase that functions as a sentence opener or embedded clause to introduce a research finding. It is more concise than 根据...表明 and is used when the research source is either already established in context or is being named separately. This phrase is so common in Chinese science journalism that it functions almost as a genre marker — readers recognize it as signaling a research-based claim. The verb 发现 specifically implies discovery of something previously unknown.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 研究发现，纳米材料在提高电池能量密度方面具有显著潜力。 | Yánjiū fāxiàn, nàmǐ cáiliào zài tígāo diànchí néngliàng mìdù fāngmiàn jùyǒu xiǎnzhù qiánlì. | Research has found that nanomaterials have significant potential for improving battery energy density. |
| 最新研究发现，量子计算可以将某些计算任务的速度提高数百万倍。 | Zuìxīn yánjiū fāxiàn, liàngzǐ jìsuàn kěyǐ jiāng mǒu xiē jìsuàn rènwù de sùdù tígāo shù bǎi wàn bèi. | The latest research has found that quantum computing can increase the speed of certain computational tasks by millions of times. |
| 科学家的研究发现，核能在减少碳排放方面比其他能源更为有效。 | Kēxuéjiā de yánjiū fāxiàn, hénéng zài jiǎnshǎo tàn páifàng fāngmiàn bǐ qítā néngyuán gèng wéi yǒuxiào. | Scientists' research has found that nuclear energy is more effective than other energy sources in reducing carbon emissions. |
Pattern 3: 在...领域取得了突破 (Breakthrough Achievement)
Structure: 在 + Field + 领域 + 取得了 + (重大/关键) + 突破
Explanation: This pattern is the standard formulation for reporting a technological or scientific breakthrough in Chinese media and official communications. 领域 ("field," "domain") specifies the area of achievement. 取得了突破 is a fixed collocation meaning "achieved a breakthrough." Modifiers such as 重大 (major), 关键 (key), and 历史性 (historic) intensify the significance. This pattern appears in both journalism and government work reports, making it essential for both reading and writing.
| Chinese | Pinyin | English |
|---|---|---|
| 中国科学家在量子通信领域取得了重大突破。 | Zhōngguó kēxuéjiā zài liàngzǐ tōngxìn lǐngyù qǔdé le zhòngdà tūpò. | Chinese scientists have achieved a major breakthrough in the field of quantum communication. |
| 该研究团队在基因编辑技术领域取得了关键性突破。 | Gāi yánjiū tuánduì zài jīyīn biānjí jìshù lǐngyù qǔdé le guānjiànxìng tūpò. | The research team has achieved a key breakthrough in the field of gene editing technology. |
| 经过十年攻关，科研人员在航天材料研发领域取得了历史性突破。 | Jīngguò shí nián gōngguān, kēyán rényuán zài hángtiān cáiliào yánfā lǐngyù qǔdé le lìshǐxìng tūpò. | After a decade of intensive research, scientists have achieved a historic breakthrough in aerospace materials R&D. |
Authentic Text
Genre: Science news article excerpt (科技新闻节选)
近年来，中国在人工智能和量子技术领域取得了一系列重大突破。根据科技部最新发布的报告表明，中国在量子通信领域的专利申请数量已位居全球前列。研究发现，量子密钥分发技术可以从根本上解决信息加密问题，从而为国家信息安全提供更为可靠的保障。与此同时，在基因技术方面，国内科学家已成功完成多项前沿研究，相关成果的转化应用正在稳步推进。专家指出，在核能研发和航天探索领域，中国的创新能力也在持续增强。
Pinyin: Jìn nián lái, Zhōngguó zài réngōng zhìnéng hé liàngzǐ jìshù lǐngyù qǔdé le yī xìliè zhòngdà tūpò. Gēnjù kējì bù zuìxīn fābù de bàogào biǎomíng, Zhōngguó zài liàngzǐ tōngxìn lǐngyù de zhuānlì shēnqǐng shùliàng yǐ wèijū quánqiú qiánliè. Yánjiū fāxiàn, liàngzǐ mìyào fēnfā jìshù kěyǐ cóng gēnběn shàng jiějué xìnxī jiāmì wèntí, cóngyèr wèi guójiā xìnxī ānquán tígōng gèng wéi kěkào de bǎozhàng. Yǔ cǐ tóngshí, zài jīyīn jìshù fāngmiàn, guónèi kēxuéjiā yǐ chénggōng wánchéng duō xiàng qiányán yánjiū, xiāngguān chéngguǒ de zhuǎnhuà yìngyòng zhèngzài wěnbù tuījìn. Zhuānjiā zhǐchū, zài hénéng yánfā hé hángtiān tànsuǒ lǐngyù, Zhōngguó de chuàngxīn nénglì yě zài chíxù zēngqiáng.
Translation: In recent years, China has achieved a series of major breakthroughs in the fields of artificial intelligence and quantum technology. According to the latest report released by the Ministry of Science and Technology, China's number of patent applications in quantum communication now ranks among the global leaders. Research has found that quantum key distribution technology can fundamentally solve information encryption problems, thereby providing a more reliable safeguard for national information security. At the same time, in the area of genetic technology, domestic scientists have successfully completed multiple frontier studies, and the transfer and application of related findings are progressing steadily. Experts point out that China's innovative capacity continues to strengthen in the fields of nuclear energy R&D and space exploration.
Dialogue or Monologue
Monologue: A scientist presents at a public lecture
各位来宾，今天我想跟大家谈谈人工智能在科学研究中的应用。
过去十年，人工智能在多个科学领域取得了令人瞩目的突破。根据最新的统计数据表明，全球超过60%的顶尖科研机构已经将AI工具纳入日常研究流程。
研究发现，人工智能在基因序列分析方面的速度，是传统方法的数千倍，这为精准医疗的研发提供了强大工具。在材料科学方面，AI辅助设计的纳米材料已经在多个工业应用中取得了突破性成果。
当然，技术的进步也带来了新的挑战。就伦理问题而言，人工智能在基因编辑方面的应用需要更加严格的监管框架。
我们的团队目前正在量子计算领域攻关，研究如何将量子算法与人工智能相结合，从而实现计算能力的根本性提升。我相信，这一领域的突破将会彻底改变科学研究的方式。谢谢大家。
Translation: Distinguished guests, today I would like to discuss the application of artificial intelligence in scientific research.
Over the past decade, artificial intelligence has achieved remarkable breakthroughs in multiple scientific fields. According to the latest statistical data, more than 60% of the world's top research institutions have already incorporated AI tools into their daily research processes.
Research has found that the speed of AI in genetic sequence analysis is thousands of times faster than traditional methods, providing a powerful tool for the development of precision medicine. In materials science, AI-assisted nano-material design has already achieved breakthrough results in multiple industrial applications.
Of course, technological progress also brings new challenges. In terms of ethical issues, the application of artificial intelligence in gene editing requires stricter regulatory frameworks.
Our team is currently tackling a key challenge in the field of quantum computing, researching how to combine quantum algorithms with artificial intelligence to thereby achieve a fundamental improvement in computing power. I believe breakthroughs in this field will fundamentally transform the way scientific research is conducted. Thank you all.
Practice
Exercise 1: Grammar Analysis Analyze the following science news sentence. Identify: (a) the evidence source, (b) the evidential verb, (c) the claim being made, and (d) what makes this sentence characteristic of the science journalism register:
"根据中国科学院最新发布的研究报告表明，该团队研发的新型纳米催化剂在降低工业能耗方面取得了重大突破，相关技术的转化应用预计将在三年内实现。"
Exercise 2: Translation Translate the following into Chinese science reporting style:
- Research has found that this new gene therapy can effectively inhibit tumor cell growth.
- Based on satellite data, it is shown that China's renewable energy capacity increased by 18% last year.
- Chinese scientists have achieved a historic breakthrough in the field of nuclear fusion technology.
Exercise 3: Short Writing Task Write a 100-120 character science news paragraph about a real or imaginary technological breakthrough. Your report must: name the field (领域), use 研究发现 or 根据...表明, include 取得了突破, and mention at least one practical application (应用).
Cultural or Academic Note
China's emergence as a global science and technology power is reflected in its language. Terms like 科技强国 (science and technology superpower), 自主创新 (indigenous innovation), and 卡脖子技术 (chokehold technology — referring to technologies controlled by foreign powers that China cannot access) have entered everyday discourse and appear regularly in media and government documents. The concept of 卡脖子 became particularly prominent after US restrictions on semiconductor technology, and understanding this term is essential for comprehending current Chinese technology policy.
Chinese science journalism also has a distinctive nationalism that B2 learners should recognize without necessarily accepting at face value. Breakthroughs are frequently framed in terms of national achievement and international ranking rather than purely scientific significance. Reading these texts critically — appreciating both the genuine scientific information they convey and the political context in which they are produced — is a mark of authentic B2 reading competence.