Mandarin Monday: How To Talk About AI in Chinese  

Katie Coy, Managing Editor | Mar 17, 2025 5:30 pm | Add a comment | 147 reads

Mandarin Monday is a regular series where we help you improve your Chinese by detailing fun and practical phrases and characters.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere these days, from chatbots to self-driving cars. If you're living in Beijing or just interested in tech, knowing how to discuss AI in Chinese can be incredibly useful. Whether you're chatting with friends, attending a tech conference, or reading the latest news, here's a guide to help you navigate the world of AI vocabulary in Mandarin.  

1. The Basics: What is AI?  

In Chinese, AI is commonly referred to as:  

  • 人工智能 (réngōngzhìnéng) – Artificial Intelligence  
    • 人工 (réngōng) = artificial/man-made  
    • 智能 (zhìnéng) = intelligence  

Example sentence:  
人工智能正在改变世界。(Réngōngzhìnéng zhèngzài gǎibiàn shìjiè.)  
"Artificial Intelligence is changing the world."  

2. Key AI Terms  

Here are some essential words and phrases to expand your AI vocabulary:  

  • 机器学习 (jīqì xuéxí) – Machine Learning  
    • 机器 (jīqì) = machine  
    • 学习 (xuéxí) = learning  
  • 深度学习 (shēndù xuéxí) – Deep Learning  
    • 深度 (shēndù) = deep  
  • 神经网络 (shénjīng wǎngluò) – Neural Network  
    • 神经 (shénjīng) = neural  
    • 网络 (wǎngluò) = network  
  • 大数据 (dà shùjù) – Big Data  
    • 大 (dà) = big  
    • 数据 (shùjù) = data  
  • 算法 (suànfǎ) – Algorithm  
  • 自动化 (zìdònghuà) – Automation  
  • 聊天机器人 (liáotiān jīqìrén) – Chatbot  
    • 聊天 (liáotiān) = chat  
    • 机器人 (jīqìrén) = robot  

3. Talking About AI Applications  

AI is used in many fields. Here’s how to talk about some common applications:  

  • 自动驾驶 (zìdòng jiàshǐ) – Self-Driving/Autonomous Driving  
    • 自动 (zìdòng) = automatic  
    • 驾驶 (jiàshǐ) = driving  
  • 人脸识别 (rénliǎn shíbié) – Facial Recognition  
    • 人脸 (rénliǎn) = human face  
    • 识别 (shíbié) = recognition  
  • 语音助手 (yǔyīn zhùshǒu) – Voice Assistant  
    • 语音 (yǔyīn) = voice  
    • 助手 (zhùshǒu) = assistant  
  • 智能家居 (zhìnéng jiājū) – Smart Home  
    • 家居 (jiājū) = home  

4. Discussing the Impact of AI  

AI is a hot topic, and people often debate its pros and cons. Here are some phrases to join the conversation:  

  • AI的好处 (AI de hǎochù) – The benefits of AI  
    • 好处 (hǎochù) = benefits  
  • AI的挑战 (AI de tiǎozhàn) – The challenges of AI  
    • 挑战 (tiǎozhàn) = challenges  
  • AI会不会取代人类？(AI huìbùhuì qǔdài rénlèi?)  "Will AI replace humans?"  
    • 取代 (qǔdài) = replace  
    • 人类 (rénlèi) = humans  
  • AI需要伦理规范。(AI xūyào lúnlǐ guīfàn.)  "AI needs ethical guidelines."  
    • 伦理 (lúnlǐ) = ethics  
    • 规范 (guīfàn) = guidelines  

5. Fun AI-Related Slang  

Tech-savvy Chinese netizens have come up with some creative slang related to AI:  

  • 人工智障 (réngōng zhìzhàng) – A playful term mocking AI when it fails or acts "stupid."  
    • 智障 (zhìzhàng) = intellectually disabled (used humorously here)  
  • AI大神 (AI dàshén) – Refers to someone who is an AI expert or "god."  
    • 大神 (dàshén) = god/master  

6. Practice Makes Perfect  

Try using these terms in a sentence or conversation. For example:  
我最近在学习人工智能和机器学习。(Wǒ zuìjìn zài xuéxí réngōngzhìnéng hé jīqì xuéxí.)  
"I’ve been learning about AI and machine learning recently."  

Or ask a question:  
你觉得AI会改变未来的工作吗？(Nǐ juéde AI huì gǎibiàn wèilái de gōngzuò ma?)  
"Do you think AI will change the future of work?"  

Whether you're a tech enthusiast or just curious about AI, these terms will help you navigate conversations and stay informed. 加油! (jiāyóu!) Keep practicing, and soon you'll be discussing AI like a pro in Mandarin.  

Got any other AI-related terms or questions? Share them in the comments below!  

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Images: Canva