机器人

• Pinyin: jī qì rén
• Hanzi breakdown: 机 = 木 (wood) + 几 (small table); 器 = four 口 (mouths) + 犬 (dog), meaning vessel/device; 人 = person

Meaning

Robot. An automated machine that can perform tasks.

Covers everything from industrial robots to humanoid robots and AI assistants. China is a major developer and user of robotics. The term is also used metaphorically for people who act mechanically without emotion.

Examples

1. 这家工厂用机器人代替了大部分的人工劳动。 This factory has replaced most manual labor with robots.
2. 孩子在科技展上第一次看到会说话的机器人，兴奋极了。 The child saw a talking robot for the first time at the technology exhibition and was extremely excited.
3. 未来机器人可能会承担更多照顾老人的工作。 In the future, robots may take on more work caring for the elderly.

Usage Guide

Context: technology, science, industry, daily life

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个机器人能自动打扫房间。(This robot can automatically clean the room.)
• 他整天埋头工作，简直像个机器人。(He buries himself in work all day, practically like a robot.)

Don't Say

• 我买了一个机器 (If referring to a robot specifically, say 机器人, not just 机器 which means machine in general)

Origin & History

Compound of 机器 (machine) + 人 (person), literally 'machine person' — a calque of the concept of robot.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal