电脑 (diànnǎo), meaning “computer” in Chinese, is a relatively modern term that reflects the technological advancements of the 20th century. However, its structure still provides insights into how this new technology was conceptualized and integrated into the Chinese language.

Here’s a breakdown:

• 电 (電 in traditional form – diàn): This character means “electricity” or “electrical.” It’s a phono-semantic compound character, where the 雨 (yǔ – rain) component hints at the meaning (electricity as a natural force like rain), and the 田 (tián – field) component provides a phonetic clue.
• 脑 (腦 in traditional form – nǎo): This character means “brain.” It’s also a phono-semantic compound, where the 月 (yuè – flesh/body) component hints at the meaning, and the 巤 (nǎo) component provides a phonetic clue.

Combining these elements, 电脑 literally means “electric brain.” This reflects the early understanding of computers as electronic devices that could perform complex calculations and tasks, similar to the human brain. This metaphorical association with the brain highlights the computer’s ability to process information and perform logical operations.

The term 电脑 emerged in the mid-20th century as computers were introduced to China. It effectively captured the essence of this new technology, emphasizing its electronic nature and its brain-like capabilities. This demonstrates how the Chinese language can adapt to incorporate new concepts and technologies, drawing on existing characters and metaphors to create meaningful terms.