Modern life in China is deeply connected to smartphones, apps, QR codes, online payments, delivery platforms, and social media. Expat students quickly discover that many daily activities are completed digitally, from ordering food and paying bills to booking taxis and chatting with classmates. Understanding technology-related Chinese expressions helps daily life become much easier and less stressful.
Whether connecting to Wi Fi (无线网, wú xiàn wǎng), downloading an app, scanning a QR code, or explaining phone problems at a repair shop, technology vocabulary appears constantly throughout the day. Many conversations in China now happen through apps rather than face-to-face communication, so knowing practical Chinese for digital life is extremely useful.
Technology conversations often happen in places like Phone store (手机店, shǒu jī diàn), Electronics market (电子市场, diàn zǐ shì chǎng), Campus library (图书馆, tú shū guǎn), and Coffee shop (咖啡店, kā fēi diàn).
Basic Technology Vocabulary
Before using apps and digital services, it is important to recognize common words related to phones, computers, and internet services.
Useful words include Mobile phone (手机, shǒu jī), Computer (电脑, diàn nǎo), Charger (充电器, chōng diàn qì), Password (密码, mì mǎ), and Internet (网络, wǎng luò).
Example sentences:
我的手机没电了。(wǒ de shǒu jī méi diàn le)- My phone battery is dead.
你有充电器吗？(nǐ yǒu chōng diàn qì ma)- Do you have a charger?
无线网密码是什么？(wú xiàn wǎng mì mǎ shì shén me)- What is the Wi Fi password?
我的电脑有点慢。(wǒ de diàn nǎo yǒu diǎn màn)- My computer is a little slow.
这里网络很好。(zhè lǐ wǎng luò hěn hǎo)- The internet connection here is good.
我需要下载一个软件。(wǒ xū yào xià zǎi yí gè ruǎn jiàn)- I need to download an app.
你能帮我连接无线网吗？(nǐ néng bāng wǒ lián jiē wú xiàn wǎng ma)- Can you help me connect to the Wi Fi?
我忘记密码了。(wǒ wàng jì mì mǎ le)- I forgot the password.
Using Mobile Payment Apps
China’s mobile payment culture is one of the biggest adjustments for many expat students. People often use their phones instead of cash for shopping, restaurants, transportation, and vending machines.
Popular payment apps include WeChat and Alipay.
Useful words include QR code (二维码, èr wéi mǎ), Payment (支付, zhī fù), and Transfer money (转账, zhuǎn zhàng).
Example sentences:
我可以扫码支付吗？(wǒ kě yǐ sǎo mǎ zhī fù ma)- Can I pay by scanning the QR code?
请打开付款码。(qǐng dǎ kāi fù kuǎn mǎ)- Please open the payment code.
我已经付款了。(wǒ yǐ jīng fù kuǎn le)- I already paid.
你收到钱了吗？(nǐ shōu dào qián le ma)- Did you receive the money?
我给你转账吧。(wǒ gěi nǐ zhuǎn zhàng ba)- Let me transfer the money to you.
我的支付失败了。(wǒ de zhī fù shī bài le)- My payment failed.
这里可以用支付宝吗？(zhè lǐ kě yǐ yòng Zhī fù bǎo ma)- Can Alipay be used here?
我没有现金。(wǒ méi yǒu xiàn jīn)- I don’t have cash.
Messaging and Group Chats
Students in China often communicate through group chats for classes, activities, and friendships. Messages are usually short, fast, and informal.
Useful words include Group chat (群聊, qún liáo), Voice message (语音消息, yǔ yīn xiāo xi), and Emoji (表情, biǎo qíng).
Example sentences:
我把你拉进群聊。(wǒ bǎ nǐ lā jìn qún liáo)- I’ll add you to the group chat.
你看消息了吗？(nǐ kàn xiāo xi le ma)- Did you see the message?
我刚刚发给你了。(wǒ gāng gang fā gěi nǐ le)- I just sent it to you.
请回复一下。(qǐng huí fù yí xià)- Please reply.
我给你发定位。(wǒ gěi nǐ fā dìng wèi)- I’ll send you my location.
你能发语音吗？(nǐ néng fā yǔ yīn ma)- Can you send a voice message?
这个表情太可爱了。(zhè ge biǎo qíng tài kě ài le)- This emoji is so cute.
我没看到通知。(wǒ méi kàn dào tōng zhī)- I didn’t see the notification.
Ordering Food Through Apps
Food delivery is extremely popular in China. Students often use apps to order meals, drinks, fruit, and groceries directly to dormitories or apartments.
Useful words include Delivery (外卖, wài mài), Delivery rider (骑手, qí shǒu), and Address (地址, dì zhǐ).
Example sentences:
我点了外卖。(wǒ diǎn le wài mài)- I ordered delivery food.
骑手快到了。(qí shǒu kuài dào le)- The delivery rider is arriving soon.
请送到宿舍门口。(qǐng sòng dào sù shè mén kǒu)- Please deliver it to the dorm entrance.
我的地址写错了。(wǒ de dì zhǐ xiě cuò le)- I wrote the wrong address.
外卖到了吗？(wài mài dào le ma)- Has the delivery arrived?
今天配送有点慢。(jīn tiān pèi sòng yǒu diǎn màn)- Delivery is a little slow today.
这个店评分很高。(zhè ge diàn píng fēn hěn gāo)- This shop has a high rating.
我想再点一杯奶茶。(wǒ xiǎng zài diǎn yì bēi nǎi chá)- I want to order another milk tea.
Using Navigation and Map Apps
Navigation apps help students travel around unfamiliar cities, subway systems, and university areas. Asking about directions using Chinese becomes very practical.
Useful words include Navigation (导航, dǎo háng), Destination (目的地, mù dì dì), and Route (路线, lù xiàn).
Example sentences:
我找不到这个地方。(wǒ zhǎo bú dào zhè ge dì fang)- I can’t find this place.
导航显示快到了。(dǎo háng xiǎn shì kuài dào le)- The navigation says we are almost there.
你能发定位给我吗？(nǐ néng fā dìng wèi gěi wǒ ma)- Can you send me your location?
这里离学校远吗？(zhè lǐ lí xué xiào yuǎn ma)- Is this far from the school?
我坐错地铁了。(wǒ zuò cuò dì tiě le)- I took the wrong subway.
地图打不开。(dì tú dǎ bù kāi)- The map won’t open.
我迷路了。(wǒ mí lù le)- I got lost.
这条路线最快。(zhè tiáo lù xiàn zuì kuài)- This route is the fastest.
Phone Problems and Repairs
Technology problems happen frequently, especially when students use phones heavily every day. Repair shop conversations become very useful.
Useful places include Repair shop (维修店, wéi xiū diàn) and Electronics store (电子店, diàn zǐ diàn).
Example sentences:
我的手机屏幕坏了。(wǒ de shǒu jī píng mù huài le)- My phone screen is broken.
电池充不进去电。(diàn chí chōng bú jìn qù diàn)- The battery will not charge.
我的耳机没有声音。(wǒ de ěr jī méi yǒu shēng yīn)- My earphones have no sound.
这个可以修吗？(zhè ge kě yǐ xiū ma)- Can this be repaired?
修一下多少钱？(xiū yí xià duō shǎo qián)- How much does the repair cost?
我的手机总是死机。(wǒ de shǒu jī zǒng shì sǐ jī)- My phone keeps freezing.
系统需要更新。(xì tǒng xū yào gēng xīn)- The system needs an update.
什么时候能修好？(shén me shí hou néng xiū hǎo)- When can it be fixed?
Studying Online and Using Learning Apps
Many students use apps for language learning, homework, online meetings, and class communication.
Useful words include Online class (网课, wǎng kè), Homework (作业, zuò yè), and File (文件, wén jiàn).
Example sentences:
今天有网课。(jīn tiān yǒu wǎng kè)- There is an online class today.
老师上传文件了吗？(lǎo shī shàng chuán wén jiàn le ma)- Did the teacher upload the file?
我打不开这个文件。(wǒ dǎ bù kāi zhè ge wén jiàn)- I can’t open this file.
请把资料发给我。(qǐng bǎ zī liào fā gěi wǒ)- Please send me the materials.
我的摄像头坏了。(wǒ de shè xiàng tóu huài le)- My camera is broken.
声音有点卡。(shēng yīn yǒu diǎn kǎ)- The audio is lagging a little.
老师已经开始上课了。(lǎo shī yǐ jīng kāi shǐ shàng kè le)- The teacher already started class.
我需要上传作业。(wǒ xū yào shàng chuán zuò yè)- I need to upload homework.
Social Media and Entertainment Apps
Social media apps are important for communication, entertainment, and staying connected with friends.
Useful words include Video (视频, shì pín), Livestream (直播, zhí bō), and Comment (评论, píng lùn).
Example sentences:
这个视频特别搞笑。(zhè ge shì pín tè bié gǎo xiào)- This video is especially funny.
我昨天看直播了。(wǒ zuó tiān kàn zhí bō le)- I watched a livestream yesterday.
这个音乐很好听。(zhè ge yīn yuè hěn hǎo tīng)- This music sounds very nice.
很多人点赞了。(hěn duō rén diǎn zàn le)- Many people liked it.
我想发一张照片。(wǒ xiǎng fā yì zhāng zhào piàn)- I want to post a photo.
你看那个评论了吗？(nǐ kàn nà ge píng lùn le ma)- Did you see that comment?
这个软件最近很火。(zhè ge ruǎn jiàn zuì jìn hěn huǒ)- This app has become very popular recently.
我每天都会刷视频。(wǒ měi tiān dōu huì shuā shì pín)- I watch short videos every day.
Technology Culture in China
China’s digital environment moves very quickly. Many restaurants, cafés, and stores use QR codes instead of paper menus. Students often join university groups through apps and receive announcements digitally.
Cashless payment culture is extremely common in cities. Even street vendors and small fruit shops frequently accept mobile payments. Food delivery, bike-sharing, ride-hailing, and online shopping are deeply integrated into daily routines.
Chinese internet slang and abbreviations are also popular among young people. Short expressions, stickers, emojis, and voice messages appear constantly in conversations. Listening to how native speakers communicate online helps students understand modern spoken Chinese more naturally.
Useful Everyday Technology Expressions
Example sentences:
我手机快关机了。(wǒ shǒu jī kuài guān jī le)- My phone is about to shut down.
网络终于好了。(wǎng luò zhōng yú hǎo le)- The internet finally works now.
我刚刚截图了。(wǒ gāng gang jié tú le)- I just took a screenshot.
请重新发送一次。(qǐng chóng xīn fā sòng yí cì)- Please resend it once.
这个软件很好操作。(zhè ge ruǎn jiàn hěn hǎo cāo zuò)- This app is easy to use.
我忘记带耳机了。(wǒ wàng jì dài ěr jī le)- I forgot to bring my earphones.
你的手机型号是什么？(nǐ de shǒu jī xíng hào shì shén me)- What is your phone model?
记得保存文件。(jì de bǎo cún wén jiàn)- Remember to save the file.
Digital Life Vocabulary
- 下载 (xià zǎi)- to download
- 更新 (gēng xīn)- to update
- 二维码 (èr wéi mǎ)- QR code
- 群聊 (qún liáo)- group chat
- 外卖 (wài mài)- delivery food
- 导航 (dǎo háng)- navigation
- 截图 (jié tú)- screenshot
