下载

• Pinyin: xià zài
• Hanzi breakdown: 下 = pointing downward; 载 = 车 (vehicle) + 哉 (phonetic) — to carry, transport

Meaning

To download. To transfer data or files from a server or the internet to a local device.

A modern computing term that has become part of everyday language as internet use has grown. Commonly used with apps, music, videos, documents, and software. The opposite is 上传 (to upload). Widely used by all age groups in China due to high smartphone penetration.

Examples

1. 我从网上下载了几首喜欢的歌曲。 I downloaded a few of my favourite songs from the internet.
2. 请在应用商店里下载这款软件，操作很简单。 Please download this software from the app store — the process is very simple.
3. 下载这个文件需要一点时间，请稍等。 Downloading this file will take a little time, please wait a moment.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你可以在这个网站上免费下载这本电子书。(You can download this e-book for free on this website.)
• 这个应用下载量已经超过了一千万次。(This app has been downloaded more than ten million times.)

Don't Say

• 把下载用于描述把文件从本地传到网络上。(Don't use 下载 for uploading files — that is 上传; 下载 specifically means transferring from a server to your device.)

Origin & History

Compound of 下 (down) and 载 (carry/load), meaning 'to carry down' — adapted for digital file transfer from internet to device.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal