软件 (ruǎnjiàn) — software

软件 (ruǎnjiàn)

软件 is the standard Chinese term for software, encompassing all computer programs, applications, and digital systems, and is essential vocabulary for technology, business, and everyday digital life.

Meanings

1. [noun] software; computer program; application

Example Sentences

这款软件可以帮助用户管理日常工作任务。 Zhè kuǎn ruǎnjiàn kěyǐ bāngzhù yònghù guǎnlǐ rìcháng gōngzuò rènwù. This software can help users manage daily work tasks.

公司正在开发一套全新的财务管理软件。 Gōngsī zhèngzài kāifā yī tào quánxīn de cáiwù guǎnlǐ ruǎnjiàn. The company is developing a brand new financial management software system.

请确保您的软件是最新版本，以获得最佳安全保障。 Qǐng quèbǎo nín de ruǎnjiàn shì zuìxīn bǎnběn, yǐ huòdé zuìjiā ānquán bǎozhàng. Please ensure your software is the latest version for the best security protection.

开源软件使许多开发者能够自由使用和修改代码。 Kāiyuán ruǎnjiàn shǐ xǔduō kāifāzhě néng gòu zìyóu shǐyòng hé xiūgǎi dàimǎ. Open-source software allows many developers to freely use and modify code.

这家科技公司的核心产品是一款人工智能软件。 Zhè jiā kējì gōngsī de héxīn chǎnpǐn shì yī kuǎn réngōng zhìnéng ruǎnjiàn. The core product of this technology company is an artificial intelligence software.

软件工程师的需求量在全球范围内持续增长。 Ruǎnjiàn gōngchéngshī de xūqiúliàng zài quánqiú fànwéi nèi chíxù zēngzhǎng. The demand for software engineers continues to grow globally.

Collocations

Usage Notes

软件 (ruǎnjiàn, literally "soft item") is the calque translation of the English word "software", in contrast to 硬件 (yìngjiàn, hardware). The distinction between 软件 and 应用 (yìngyòng, app/application) is similar to English: 软件 is the broader technical term while 应用 or 应用程序 is more often used for end-user apps.

In modern spoken Chinese, especially among younger speakers, the English loanword "app" is increasingly used alongside 应用 for smartphone applications, but 软件 remains standard in professional and formal contexts.

Memory Hook

软 (soft) + 件 (item/piece) = the "soft item" of a computer, as opposed to the hard physical components.