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B1 noun #800 most common 9 min read

信息

xinxi Top 800

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 信息 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 信息 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should think of 信息 (xìnxī) primarily as a 'message' or a simple 'text.' You will most likely see it in the context of your phone. For example, 发信息 (fā xìnxī) means 'to send a message.' It is one of the first abstract nouns you learn because it is so common in daily life. At this stage, don't worry about the complex technical meanings. Just remember that when someone says 'I'll send you the info,' they are using this word. You might also see it on signs in public places, like 'Information Desk,' though that is often 问讯处 (wènxùn chù). Focus on the phrase 一条信息 (yī tiáo xìnxī)—one message. This helps you practice using measure words correctly from the start. You can use it to talk about your phone, your email, or a simple note from a teacher. It's a very useful word for basic communication needs.

By A2, you can start using 信息 (xìnxī) to describe basic facts you find on the internet or in books. You might say 网上的信息 (wǎngshàng de xìnxī)—information on the internet. You are now moving beyond just 'text messages' and into the idea of 'useful facts.' You will encounter it when filling out forms, where you might see 个人信息 (gèrén xìnxī) for personal information like your name and address. You should also be able to use simple verbs with it, such as 找信息 (zhǎo xìnxī)—to look for information. At this level, you should also distinguish it from 消息 (xiāoxi). While 消息 is like 'news' (e.g., 'I have good news!'), 信息 is more like 'data' or 'details.' If you are looking for the time of a movie, that is 信息. If you are telling a friend that you got a new job, that is 消息. Understanding this difference will make your Chinese sound much more natural.

At the B1 level, 信息 (xìnxī) becomes a key word for discussing technology, society, and work. You should be comfortable using it in professional contexts, such as 确认会议信息 (quèrèn huìyì xìnxī)—confirming meeting information. You will also start to see it in compound words like 信息技术 (xìnxī jìshù)—Information Technology (IT). This is the level where you learn that 信息 is a vital part of the 'Information Age' (信息时代 - xìnxī shídài). You should be able to describe the quality of information using adjectives like 准确 (zhǔnquè - accurate) or 有用 (yǒuyòng - useful). You might also discuss the problem of having too much information, known as 信息过载 (xìnxī guòzài)—information overload. At B1, you are expected to use 信息 to explain your thoughts more clearly, moving from simple sentences to more complex descriptions of how data flows in our lives.

For B2 learners, 信息 (xìnxī) is used in more abstract and formal discussions. You will encounter it in topics like 信息安全 (xìnxī ānquán)—information security—and 信息产业 (xìnxī chǎnyè)—the information industry. You should be able to use it in the context of media literacy, discussing how to 筛选信息 (shāixuǎn xìnxī)—filter information—to avoid fake news. In a business setting, you might talk about 信息反馈 (xìnxī fǎnkuì)—information feedback—and how it improves products. You are also expected to understand the nuance between 信息 and 资料 (zīliào). While 资料 refers to the physical or digital files, 信息 is the essence or the facts contained within them. Your ability to use 信息 in a variety of collocations (like 收集, 处理, 传递) will demonstrate a high level of fluency. You should also be able to read news articles that use 信息 to describe government policies or scientific discoveries.

At the C1 level, you should be able to use 信息 (xìnxī) in specialized fields like economics, sociology, and advanced technology. You will encounter sophisticated concepts like 信息不对称 (xìnxī bù duìchèn)—information asymmetry—which is a crucial term in market theory. You should be able to discuss the philosophical implications of the 信息时代, such as how it changes human relationships or privacy. Your vocabulary should include formal terms like 信息披露 (xìnxī pīlù)—information disclosure—often used in legal and financial contexts. You should also be able to use 信息 as a subject in complex sentences, such as 'The rapid transmission of information has revolutionized the way we work.' At this level, you are not just using the word; you are analyzing its role in global systems. You should be able to distinguish between 信息 and 资讯 (zīxùn) in different regional dialects (like Mainland vs. Taiwan) and understand the subtle shifts in meaning in academic papers.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 信息 (xìnxī) should be indistinguishable from that of a native speaker. You can use it in highly technical discussions about 信息论 (xìnxī lùn)—Information Theory—and entropy. You understand the historical evolution of the term from classical Chinese to its modern adoption as a translation for the Western concept of 'information.' You can use the word in literary or highly formal rhetorical contexts, perhaps using idioms or classical references that involve 'news' or 'messages.' You are comfortable navigating the legal nuances of 信息法 (xìnxī fǎ)—information law—and can debate the ethics of 信息控制 (xìnxī kòngzhì)—information control. At this level, 信息 is a tool you use to navigate the most complex intellectual landscapes in Chinese. You can write professional reports, academic theses, or legal documents where the precise use of 信息 and its related terms is critical to the accuracy of the work.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

信息 in 30 Seconds

Information or data in a formal or technical sense.
A common word for text messages on a phone.
Used in IT, business, and daily life to describe facts.
Measure word is usually '条' (tiáo) or '项' (xiàng).

The Chinese word 信息 (xìnxī) is a cornerstone of modern communication, serving as the primary term for 'information' in almost every context imaginable. While its roots trace back to classical concepts of 'news' and 'messages,' in the contemporary era, it has expanded to encompass the digital, the technical, and the personal. To understand 信息, one must look at its constituent characters: 信 (xìn), meaning trust, belief, or a letter, and 息 (xī), which refers to breath, news, or interest. Together, they form a concept that describes the flow of data that informs our understanding of the world.

General Information: In everyday speech, 信息 refers to facts or details provided or learned about something or someone. It is the most neutral and formal way to say 'info.' Whether you are talking about the details of a meeting, the specs of a new phone, or the content of a lecture, this is your go-to word.
Digital and Technical Contexts: In the realm of IT and science, 信息 is the equivalent of 'data' or 'signals.' Terms like 信息技术 (xìnxī jìshù) for Information Technology (IT) and 信息安全 (xìnxī ānquán) for Information Security are ubiquitous in the Chinese professional landscape.

我们需要收集更多关于这个市场的信息。(Wǒmen xūyào shōují gèng duō guānyú zhège shìchǎng de xìnxī.)
We need to collect more information about this market.

People use 信息 when they want to sound precise. While 消息 (xiāoxi) might be used for 'news' or 'word of mouth' (e.g., 'I heard some news about him'), 信息 implies a more structured or objective set of data. For instance, if you receive a text message, it is technically a 短信 (duǎnxìn), but the content inside is the 信息. In the age of Big Data, 信息 is treated as a valuable resource, much like oil or gold.

在这个信息爆炸的时代，我们要学会筛选。(Zài zhège xìnxī bàozhà de shídài, wǒmen yào xuéhuì shāixuǎn.)
In this era of information explosion, we must learn to filter.

Professionalism: Using 信息 instead of more casual words like 话 (huà) or 事 (shì) elevates your speech, making you sound more educated and professional in a business or academic setting.

请确认您的个人信息是否正确。(Qǐng quèrèn nín de gèrén xìnxī shìfǒu zhèngquè.)
Please confirm if your personal information is correct.

Ultimately, 信息 is about the reduction of uncertainty. When you lack 信息, you are in the dark; when you have it, you can make informed decisions. It is a word that bridges the gap between ancient communication and the hyper-connected future.

Using 信息 (xìnxī) correctly involves understanding its grammatical behavior as an abstract noun. Unlike English, where 'information' is strictly uncountable, Chinese nouns don't change form, but the choice of measure words and accompanying verbs is crucial for natural-sounding sentences. The most common measure word for 信息 is 条 (tiáo), which is also used for long, thin objects or strings of data.

Common Verbs with 信息

获取 (huòqǔ) - To obtain/acquire information.
传递 (chuándì) - To transmit/pass on information.
处理 (chǔlǐ) - To process information.
反馈 (fǎnkuì) - To provide feedback (information back).

我给你发了一条信息，你收到了吗？(Wǒ gěi nǐ fāle yī tiáo xìnxī, nǐ shōudào le ma?)
I sent you a message (piece of information), did you receive it?

When describing the quality of information, you can use adjectives like 准确 (zhǔnquè - accurate), 有用 (yǒuyòng - useful), or 虚假 (xūjiǎ - false). In a sentence, 信息 often acts as the object of the sentence, but it can also be the subject when discussing its impact or characteristics.

这些信息对我们的研究至关重要。(Zhèxiē xìnxī duì wǒmen de yánjiū zhìguān zhòngyào.)
This information is vital to our research.

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] + 掌握 (zhǎngwò) + 信息 - To master/possess information.
[Subject] + 泄露 (xièlòu) + 信息 - To leak information.
信息 + 来源 (láiyuán) - Source of information.

政府正在努力保护公民的个人信息。(Zhèngfǔ zhèngzài nǔlì bǎohù gōngmín de gèrén xìnxī.)
The government is working hard to protect citizens' personal information.

In academic writing, 信息 is frequently used in the passive voice or with formal constructions like 以此信息为基础 (basing on this information). It is a versatile word that scales from a casual WeChat ping to a complex scientific dataset.

You will encounter 信息 (xìnxī) in a vast array of real-world scenarios in China, ranging from the mundane to the highly specialized. It is a word that defines the 21st-century Chinese experience, especially given the country's rapid digitalization.

In the Workplace: Walk into any office in Beijing or Shanghai, and you'll hear colleagues talking about 同步信息 (tóngbù xìnxī - syncing information) or 确认信息 (quèrèn xìnxī - confirming information). It is the language of efficiency. Project managers will ask for an 信息汇总 (xìnxī huìzǒng - information summary) at the end of the week.
On Your Smartphone: Every time you receive a notification, your phone might display the word 信息. Apps like WeChat (微信) are built around the concept of 'micro-messages' (the 'xin' in Weixin is the same as in 信息). When you sign up for a new service, you'll be asked to fill in your 基本信息 (jīběn xìnxī - basic information).

请注意查收邮件里的会议信息。(Qǐng zhùyì cháshōu yóujiàn lǐ de huìyì xìnxī.)
Please check the meeting information in the email.

In the news, anchors frequently use the term when reporting on 官方信息 (guānfāng xìnxī - official information). During emergencies or major events, the public is often told to 'follow official information' to avoid rumors. This highlights the word's association with authority and reliability.

由于信息不对称，消费者往往处于劣势。(Yóuyú xìnxī bù duìchèn, xiāofèizhě wǎngwǎng chǔyú lièshì.)
Due to information asymmetry, consumers are often at a disadvantage.

In academic settings, students study 信息管理 (xìnxī guǎnlǐ - information management) or 信息工程 (xìnxī gōngchéng - information engineering). It is a word that signifies the modernization of education and the shift toward a knowledge-based economy. Whether you are buying a train ticket, applying for a visa, or just chatting with a friend, 信息 is the invisible thread connecting these actions.

While 信息 (xìnxī) seems straightforward, English speakers often stumble when applying English grammatical rules to this Chinese word. The most common errors involve measure words, confusion with similar terms, and register mismatches.

Mistake 1: Using the Wrong Measure Word: In English, 'information' is uncountable. In Chinese, you must use a measure word if you want to count it. Many learners use 个 (gè), which is technically understandable but sounds unnatural. The correct measure word is 条 (tiáo) for a single message or 项 (xiàng) for a piece/item of information in a list.
Mistake 2: Confusing 信息 with 消息 (xiāoxi): This is the most frequent lexical error. 消息 is 'news' or 'word of mouth'—it often implies something new that has just happened. 信息 is more formal and refers to 'data' or 'content.' You 'hear' 消息, but you 'process' 信息.

Incorrect: 我听到了一个关于他的信息。(Wǒ tīngdàole yīgè guānyú tā de xìnxī.)
Correct: 我听到了一个关于他的消息。(Wǒ tīngdàole yīgè guānyú tā de xiāoxi.)
I heard some news about him.

Another mistake is using 信息 when 资料 (zīliào) is more appropriate. 资料 refers to 'materials' or 'documents' (like a PDF or a physical folder). If you are asking someone for their resume and supporting documents, ask for 资料, not just 信息.

Incorrect: 他的信息很灵通。(Tā de xìnxī hěn língtōng.)
Correct: 他的消息很灵通。(Tā de xiāoxi hěn língtōng.)
He is very well-informed (has quick access to news).

Finally, avoid using 信息 to mean 'knowledge' (知识 - zhīshì). Information is the raw data; knowledge is what you gain after understanding that data. You don't 'learn' 信息, you 'receive' it.

To truly master 信息 (xìnxī), you must understand its neighbors in the semantic field of 'data and news.' Chinese has several words that translate to 'information' or 'news' in English, but they are not interchangeable.

信息 vs. 消息 (xiāoxi): 信息 is objective, technical, and formal (data, content). 消息 is subjective, timely, and informal (news, tidings, rumors). You get 信息 from a database; you get 消息 from a friend.
信息 vs. 资料 (zīliào): 资料 refers to physical or digital materials, documents, or reference data. If you are preparing for a presentation, you gather 资料. The specific facts inside those documents are the 信息.
信息 vs. 资讯 (zīxùn): 资讯 is often used in Taiwan and Hong Kong, or in mainland China to refer to 'news feeds' or 'industry information.' It feels more commercial or media-oriented than the technical 信息.

我们需要整理一下手头的资料，提取有用的信息。(Wǒmen xūyào zhěnglǐ yīxià shǒutóu de zīliào, tíqǔ yǒuyòng de xìnxī.)
We need to organize the materials on hand and extract useful information.

Other related terms include 数据 (shùjù - data), which is even more technical and usually refers to numbers or raw code, and 情报 (qíngbào - intelligence), which refers to secret or strategic information (like military or competitive intelligence).

Choosing the right word depends on the 'flavor' of information you are discussing. If it's on a screen, it's likely 信息. If it's a secret shared over coffee, it's 消息. If it's a stack of papers, it's 资料.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '信' (xìn) is a person (人) standing by their word (言), representing trust and communication.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃɪn.ʃiː/

US /ʃɪn.ʃiː/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the tones define the emphasis.

Rhymes With

金 (jīn) 心 (xīn) 新 (xīn) 西 (xī) 稀 (xī) 溪 (xī) 希 (xī) 惜 (xī)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xin' like 'zin'.
Pronouncing 'xi' like 'zi'.
Confusing the tones (xìnxī is 4th and 1st tone). Wait, correction: 信息 is xìnxī (4th tone, 1st tone).
Failing to distinguish the 'x' sound from 'sh'.
Using a neutral tone for the second syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize but used in complex technical texts.

Writing 4/5

The character 'xī' (息) can be tricky to write correctly.

Speaking 3/5

Tones (4th and 1st) must be clear to avoid confusion.

Listening 2/5

Very common and usually clear in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

信 (xìn) 息 (xī) 话 (huà) 事 (shì) 找 (zhǎo)

Learn Next

数据 (shùjù) 资料 (zīliào) 知识 (zhīshì) 互联网 (hùliánwǎng) 技术 (jìshù)

Advanced

信息不对称 (Information Asymmetry) 信息熵 (Information Entropy) 信息披露 (Information Disclosure)

Grammar to Know

Measure word '条' (tiáo) for abstract strings of data.

我收到三条信息。

Using '关于' (guānyú) to specify the topic of information.

关于北京的信息。

Noun compounding for technical terms.

信息 + 安全 = 信息安全。

Verb-Object construction with '发' (fā).

发信息 (Send information).

Adjective placement with '的' (de).

准确的信息 (Accurate information).

Examples by Level

我给你发信息。

I send you a message.

Subject + 给 + Object + 发 + 信息.

这是一条信息。

This is a message.

条 (tiáo) is the measure word for 信息.

你收到信息了吗？

Did you receive the message?

收到 (shōudào) means 'to receive'.

请看这条信息。

Please look at this message.

请 (qǐng) is used for polite requests.

我没有你的信息。

I don't have your information.

没有 (méiyǒu) is the negation for possession.

信息很短。

The message is very short.

Adjectives like 短 (duǎn) follow the noun directly with 很 (hěn).

他在写信息。

He is writing a message.

在 (zài) indicates an ongoing action.

这是我的个人信息。

This is my personal information.

个人 (gèrén) means 'personal'.

网上有很多有用的信息。

There is a lot of useful information on the internet.

有用的 (yǒuyòng de) means 'useful'.

请填写你的个人信息。

Please fill in your personal information.

填写 (tiánxiě) means 'to fill in' a form.

我需要找一些旅游信息。

I need to find some travel information.

找 (zhǎo) means 'to look for'.

这条信息不正确。

This information is incorrect.

不正确 (bù zhèngquè) means 'incorrect'.

你可以给我发一条信息吗？

Can you send me a message?

可以 (kěyǐ) means 'can/may'.

这个网站的信息很全。

The information on this website is very complete.

全 (quán) here means 'complete' or 'comprehensive'.

我不认识发信息的人。

I don't know the person who sent the message.

认识 (rènshi) means 'to know/recognize' a person.

信息已经发出了。

The message has already been sent.

已经...了 (yǐjīng...le) indicates a completed action.

我们需要确认会议的具体信息。

We need to confirm the specific information of the meeting.

具体 (jùtǐ) means 'specific'.

信息技术改变了我们的生活。

Information technology has changed our lives.

信息技术 (xìnxī jìshù) is the term for IT.

他正在收集市场信息。

He is collecting market information.

收集 (shōují) means 'to collect'.

请保护好你的个人信息。

Please protect your personal information well.

保护 (bǎohù) means 'to protect'.

这些信息非常准确。

This information is very accurate.

准确 (zhǔnquè) means 'accurate'.

我们要学会筛选有用的信息。

We must learn to filter useful information.

筛选 (shāixuǎn) means 'to filter/sieve'.

信息反馈对我们很重要。

Information feedback is very important to us.

反馈 (fǎnkuì) means 'feedback'.

他通过网络获取信息。

He obtains information through the internet.

通过 (tōngguò) means 'through/by means of'.

信息安全是现代企业的重中之重。

Information security is the top priority for modern enterprises.

重中之重 (zhòngzhōngzhīzhòng) is an idiom meaning 'top priority'.

在这个信息爆炸的时代，保持专注很难。

In this era of information explosion, it's hard to stay focused.

信息爆炸 (xìnxī bàozhà) means 'information explosion'.

公司需要建立一个有效的信息管理系统。

The company needs to establish an effective information management system.

管理系统 (guǎnlǐ xìtǒng) means 'management system'.

信息传递的速度越来越快。

The speed of information transmission is getting faster and faster.

传递 (chuándì) means 'to transmit/pass on'.

我们要防止个人信息被泄露。

We must prevent personal information from being leaked.

泄露 (xièlòu) means 'to leak'.

这些信息具有很高的参考价值。

This information has high reference value.

具有 (jùyǒu) means 'to possess/have' (abstract qualities).

政府发布了关于新政策的信息。

The government released information about the new policy.

发布 (fābù) means 'to release/publish'.

信息不对称会导致市场失灵。

Information asymmetry can lead to market failure.

不对称 (bù duìchèn) means 'asymmetry'.

信息披露的透明度是投资者关注的焦点。

The transparency of information disclosure is the focus of investors' attention.

信息披露 (xìnxī pīlù) means 'information disclosure'.

大数据的核心在于对海量信息的挖掘。

The core of big data lies in the mining of massive amounts of information.

挖掘 (wājué) means 'to mine/excavate'.

该报告详细分析了信息流动的模式。

The report analyzes the patterns of information flow in detail.

流动 (liúdòng) means 'flow'.

信息共享有助于提高团队的协作效率。

Information sharing helps to improve team collaboration efficiency.

共享 (gòngxiǎng) means 'to share'.

我们需要对这些碎片化的信息进行整合。

We need to integrate this fragmented information.

碎片化 (suìpiànhuà) means 'fragmented'.

信息检索技术的进步极大地方便了科研工作。

Advances in information retrieval technology have greatly facilitated scientific research.

检索 (jiǎnsuǒ) means 'to retrieve/search'.

这种信息控制手段引发了广泛的社会争议。

This method of information control has sparked widespread social controversy.

引发 (yǐnfā) means 'to spark/trigger'.

信息的真实性是新闻报道的生命线。

The authenticity of information is the lifeline of news reporting.

真实性 (zhēnshíxìng) means 'authenticity'.

信息论为现代通信技术奠定了理论基础。

Information theory laid the theoretical foundation for modern communication technology.

奠定 (diàndìng) means 'to lay (a foundation)'.

在后真相时代，信息的解构变得尤为重要。

In the post-truth era, the deconstruction of information becomes particularly important.

解构 (jiěgòu) means 'deconstruction'.

该算法能够从杂乱无章的信息中提取关键特征。

The algorithm can extract key features from disorganized information.

杂乱无章 (záluàn wúzhāng) is an idiom meaning 'disorganized/chaotic'.

信息的边际成本在数字化转型中趋于零。

The marginal cost of information tends toward zero in digital transformation.

边际成本 (biānjì chéngběn) means 'marginal cost'.

信息主权已成为大国博弈的新领域。

Information sovereignty has become a new field of great power competition.

博弈 (bóyì) means 'game/competition/struggle'.

通过对信息的深度加工，我们可以获得洞察力。

Through deep processing of information, we can gain insight.

洞察力 (dòngchálì) means 'insight'.

信息的不对称性是导致金融危机的诱因之一。

Information asymmetry is one of the incentives leading to financial crises.

诱因 (yòuyīn) means 'incentive/cause'.

信息熵的概念被广泛应用于各个学科领域。

The concept of information entropy is widely applied in various academic fields.

信息熵 (xìnxī shāng) means 'information entropy'.

Synonyms

消息资讯数据情报资料

Antonyms

秘密沉默

Common Collocations

收集信息

处理信息

传递信息

个人信息

信息技术

信息安全

信息爆炸

信息反馈

有用信息

虚假信息

Common Phrases

发信息

— To send a text message or digital message.

我等会儿给你发信息。

回信息

— To reply to a message.

他还没回我的信息。

确认信息

— To confirm information.

请确认您的个人信息。

基本信息

— Basic information (name, age, etc.).

请填写表格上的基本信息。

会议信息

— Information regarding a meeting.

会议信息已经发到邮箱了。

官方信息

— Official information from an authoritative source.

请以官方信息为准。

敏感信息

— Sensitive information (private or classified).

不要在公共网络输入敏感信息。

旅游信息

— Travel information.

旅游信息中心在那边。

详细信息

— Detailed information.

如需详细信息，请咨询前台。

联系信息

— Contact information.

请留下您的联系信息。

Often Confused With

信息 vs 消息 (xiāoxi)

消息 is 'news' or 'tidings' (subjective/timely). 信息 is 'information' (objective/data).

信息 vs 资料 (zīliào)

资料 refers to 'materials' or 'documents'. 信息 is the 'facts' within them.

信息 vs 数据 (shùjù)

数据 is 'raw data' or 'numbers'. 信息 is 'processed data' that has meaning.

Idioms & Expressions

"信息灵通"

— To be well-informed or have quick access to news (often used with 消息 too).

他是个信息灵通的人。

Neutral

"互通信息"

— To exchange information or keep each other informed.

我们要保持联系，互通信息。

Formal

"封锁信息"

— To block or suppress information.

他们试图封锁相关信息。

Formal

"过滤信息"

— To filter information, selecting what is useful or true.

在这个时代，过滤信息很重要。

Neutral

"泄露信息"

— To leak information (usually private or secret).

他不小心泄露了公司的内部信息。

Neutral

"同步信息"

— To synchronize information across devices or people.

请确保所有团队成员同步信息。

Business

"整合信息"

— To integrate or consolidate information from different sources.

我们需要整合各方面的市场信息。

Formal

"挖掘信息"

— To mine or extract deep information from data.

通过数据分析，我们可以挖掘出有价值的信息。

Technical

"传播信息"

— To spread or disseminate information.

互联网极大地加速了信息的传播。

Formal

"检索信息"

— To retrieve or search for specific information.

学会如何高效检索信息是一项重要技能。

Academic

Easily Confused

信息 vs 资讯 (zīxùn)

Both mean information.

资讯 is more media-oriented (news feeds), while 信息 is more technical or general.

科技资讯 (Tech news) vs. 个人信息 (Personal info).

信息 vs 讯息 (xùnxī)

Very similar sound and meaning.

讯息 is more formal or literary, often used for 'signals' or 'messages' in a poetic sense.

传递讯息 (Transmit a message).

信息 vs 知识 (zhīshì)

Information leads to knowledge.

Information is external data; knowledge is internal understanding.

书里有信息，但我学到了知识。

信息 vs 情报 (qíngbào)

Both involve gathering facts.

情报 is 'intelligence' (secret/strategic). 信息 is 'information' (general).

军事情报 (Military intelligence).

信息 vs 内容 (nèiróng)

A message has information and content.

内容 is the 'substance' of a specific work/message. 信息 is the 'data' conveyed.

书的内容 (Book's content).

Sentence Patterns

我给你发信息。

[Place] 有很多 [Adjective] 信息。

网上有很多有用的信息。

我们需要 [Verb] 信息。

我们需要确认会议信息。

信息 [Noun] 对 [Subject] 很重要。

信息安全对公司很重要。

通过 [Action], 我们可以 [Verb] 信息。

通过数据挖掘，我们可以整合信息。

信息 [Concept] 是 [Definition]。

信息不对称是经济学的重要概念。

请保护好你的 [Type] 信息。

请保护好你的个人信息。

由于 [Reason], 信息被 [Passive Verb]。

由于系统漏洞，信息被泄露了。

Word Family

Nouns

信息论 (Information Theory)

信息学 (Informatics)

信息源 (Information Source)

Verbs

信息化 (To informatize / digitize)

Adjectives

信息化的 (Informatized / digitalized)

信 (Letter/Trust)

息 (Breath/News)

短信 (Text message)

微信 (WeChat)

消息 (News)

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both written and spoken Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using '个' as the measure word. → 一条信息
While '个' is the universal measure word, '条' is the specific and correct one for messages and strings of information.
Using '信息' for 'good news'. → 好消息
'信息' is too neutral and technical for 'news' in a personal or emotional sense.
Saying '学习信息' for 'learning information'. → 获取信息 / 学习知识
You don't 'learn' information; you 'acquire' it. You 'learn' knowledge (知识).
Confusing '信息' with '资料'. → 申请资料
If you are asking for documents (like a passport copy), use '资料'. '信息' is just the facts.
Mispronouncing 'xìnxī' as 'xīnxì'. → xìnxī (4th, 1st)
The tones are crucial. Swapping them can make the word unrecognizable in fast speech.

Tips

Use '条' for messages

When talking about text messages, always use '条' (tiáo). It makes you sound much more like a native speaker than using '个' (gè).

Learn '个人信息'

This is a high-frequency phrase. You'll see it on every app, website, and official form in China. It's essential for daily life.

信息 vs 消息

Remember: Information (信息) is data; News (消息) is an event. You 'process' information but 'hear' news.

Syncing Information

In a Chinese office, use '同步信息' (tóngbù xìnxī) to mean 'getting everyone on the same page' or 'syncing data'.

IT Industry

If you work in tech, '信息' is your most important word. It appears in '信息安全', '信息系统', and '信息流'.

Protect your info

The phrase '保护个人信息' (protect personal info) is a common warning in China to prevent scams.

Academic Use

In essays, use '获取信息' (acquire info) and '分析信息' (analyze info) for a more academic tone.

WeChat context

When someone says '发个信息', they almost always mean 'send me a WeChat message'.

Information Overload

Use '信息量很大' when you are overwhelmed by a lot of complex or surprising news. It's a very popular modern expression.

Character '息'

The bottom part of '息' is '心' (heart). Think of information as something that touches the heart of the matter.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Xin' as a 'Letter' and 'Xi' as 'Breath'. Information is the 'Breath of a Letter'—the vital content inside.

Visual Association

Imagine a person (人) speaking (言) while breathing (息). The words they breathe out are 'information'.

Word Web

数据 (Data) 知识 (Knowledge) 消息 (News) 网络 (Network) 沟通 (Communication) 隐私 (Privacy) 技术 (Technology) 媒体 (Media)

Challenge

Try to use '信息' in three different ways today: once for a text message, once for internet data, and once for personal details.

Word Origin

The term '信息' appears in ancient Chinese literature (like the Tang Dynasty) meaning 'news' or 'tidings.' However, its modern usage as 'information' is a 20th-century development, influenced by the translation of Western scientific concepts.

Original meaning: A message or news brought by a person or a letter.

Sino-Tibetan (Chinese)

Cultural Context

Be careful when asking for '个人信息' (personal info) in China, as people are increasingly sensitive about privacy and scams (电信诈骗).

In English, 'information' is uncountable, but in Chinese, we count it with '条' (tiáo).

信息时代 (The Information Age) 微信 (WeChat - literally 'Micro-Message') 信息论 (Information Theory by Claude Shannon)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Digital Communication

发信息 (Send message)
回信息 (Reply message)
删信息 (Delete message)
转发信息 (Forward message)

Business/Work

确认信息 (Confirm info)
同步信息 (Sync info)
收集信息 (Collect info)
汇报信息 (Report info)

Technology

信息技术 (IT)
信息安全 (Security)
处理信息 (Process info)
存储信息 (Store info)

Personal Privacy

个人信息 (Personal info)
泄露信息 (Leak info)
保护信息 (Protect info)
敏感信息 (Sensitive info)

Travel/Public Services

航班信息 (Flight info)
旅游信息 (Travel info)
信息大屏 (Info screen)
查询信息 (Query info)

Conversation Starters

"你收到我刚才发的那条信息了吗？ (Did you receive the message I just sent?)"

"关于那个新项目，你有什么最新的信息吗？ (Do you have any latest information about that new project?)"

"你觉得现在的个人信息安全吗？ (Do you think personal information is safe nowadays?)"

"在这个信息爆炸的时代，你如何筛选有用的信息？ (In this era of information explosion, how do you filter useful information?)"

"请问在哪里可以查到旅游信息？ (Excuse me, where can I find travel information?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一下你每天如何获取信息。你最信任的信息来源是什么？ (Describe how you obtain information every day. What is your most trusted source of information?)

谈谈信息技术对你生活的影响。它带来了哪些便利和挑战？ (Talk about the impact of information technology on your life. What conveniences and challenges has it brought?)

如果你不小心泄露了重要的个人信息，你会怎么办？ (If you accidentally leaked important personal information, what would you do?)

你认为“信息共享”和“隐私保护”之间应该如何平衡？ (How do you think 'information sharing' and 'privacy protection' should be balanced?)

写一段关于未来信息社会可能是什么样子的文字。 (Write a paragraph about what the future information society might look like.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in Chinese you can count it using the measure word '条' (tiáo) for messages or '项' (xiàng) for items of information. For example, '三条信息' means three messages.

Only if it's 'information-based' news. For general 'news' like 'I have good news for you,' use '消息' (xiāoxi) instead.

'短信' (duǎnxìn) specifically means a 'short message' (SMS). '信息' is a broader term for any information or message, including WeChat, email, or data.

It is '信息技术' (xìnxī jìshù), often abbreviated as IT in professional settings.

Yes, but '资讯' (zīxùn) is much more common in Taiwan for what Mainland Chinese call '信息' in technical or media contexts.

No, gossip is usually '八卦' (bāguà) or '闲话' (xiánhuà). '信息' is too formal for gossip.

You say '泄露信息' (xièlòu xìnxī). This is commonly used for data breaches or privacy leaks.

It means 'information explosion,' referring to the overwhelming amount of data available in the modern world.

It's better to say '一条信息'. '一个' is understandable but sounds less natural to native speakers.

No, it is strictly a noun. To say 'to inform,' you would use '通知' (tōngzhī) or '告知' (gàozhī).