简称

• Pinyin: jiǎn chēng
• Hanzi breakdown: 简 = 竹 (bamboo) + 间 (between) — bamboo slips were simple writing materials; 称 = 禾 (grain) + 尔 — to weigh or name

Meaning

Abbreviation; short name; to call by a shorter name. A condensed form of a longer name or title.

Used both as a verb (to abbreviate as) and a noun (the abbreviation). Very common in official and technical writing where organizations, laws, or concepts have long formal names but are routinely referred to by shorter versions.

Examples

1. 世界贸易组织简称世贸组织，英文简称WTO。 The World Trade Organization is abbreviated as the WTO in English.
2. 这项法规简称环保法，全称是环境保护法。 This regulation is abbreviated as the Environmental Protection Law, with the full name being the Environmental Protection Law.
3. 人工智能这个概念简称AI，如今已经家喻户晓。 The concept of artificial intelligence is abbreviated as AI and is now a household name.

Usage Guide

Context: official, academic, technical

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个组织简称什么？(What is this organization's abbreviated name?)
• 以下简称本公司。(Hereinafter referred to as 'the Company.')

Don't Say

• 用'简称'来称呼人的昵称 (Don't use 简称 for personal nicknames — use 小名 or 昵称; 简称 is for official abbreviations)

Origin & History

Composed of 简 (simple; brief) + 称 (to call; name). Together they mean to call something by a simplified name.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Educated speakers