游戏机

• Pinyin: yóu xì jī
• Hanzi breakdown: 游 = to play/travel; 戏 = 戈 (weapon) + 虚, meaning play/game; 机 = 木 (wood) + 几, meaning machine

Meaning

Game console; video game machine. An electronic device designed for playing video games.

Covers all types of gaming devices. Common types: 家用游戏机 (home console), 掌上游戏机 (handheld console), 街机 (arcade machine). Common phrases: 玩游戏机 (play video games on a console), 游戏机厅 (arcade hall - now mostly defunct).

Examples

1. 小时候最开心的事就是放学后和朋友一起玩游戏机。 The happiest thing in childhood was playing video games with friends after school.
2. 新一代游戏机的画面越来越逼真，几乎和电影一样。 The graphics on the new generation of game consoles are increasingly realistic, almost like movies.
3. 父母担心孩子沉迷游戏机，限制他每天只能玩一个小时。 The parents worried about their child being addicted to video games and limited him to one hour per day.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, technology, parenting

Tone: casual

Do Say

• 他买了一台新游戏机。(He bought a new game console.)
• 别老玩游戏机了。(Stop playing video games all the time.)

Don't Say

• 我在手机上玩游戏机 — 手机上玩游戏不叫'玩游戏机'，直接说'玩手游'或'玩手机游戏'

Origin & History

Compound of 游戏 (game) + 机 (machine). A modern compound coined to describe electronic gaming devices.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal