Understanding "传真" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 传真
• Pinyin: chuánzhēn
• Literal Meaning: “to transmit truth” or “transmitted likeness”
• Primary Meaning: fax; to send by fax

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  传真 is used to refer to a “fax” as a noun, or “to fax” as a verb. It usually appears in business, office, banking, hospital, government, or older administrative contexts.

In modern daily life, 传真 is less common than email or messaging apps, but it is still useful to know because some companies, government offices, hotels, or international businesses may still use fax machines or request faxed documents.

As a noun, 传真 can mean:
- a fax document
- fax technology
- a fax machine, depending on context

As a verb, 传真 means “to send something by fax.”

Common phrases include:
- 发传真 — to send a fax
- 收传真 — to receive a fax
- 传真机 — fax machine
- 传真号码 — fax number
- 请把文件传真给我 — Please fax the document to me

• Character Breakdown:
  传真 is made of two characters:

• 传 — to pass on; to transmit; to send
  This character often appears in words related to sending or spreading information, such as 传递, meaning “to pass along,” and 传播, meaning “to spread” or “to disseminate.”

• 真 — true; real; genuine
  In 传真, 真 suggests an accurate or faithful copy of the original image or document.

Together, 传真 originally expresses the idea of “transmitting a true copy,” which matches the function of a fax: sending a copy of a document over a distance.

3. Example Sentences

• Chinese: 请把合同传真给我。
• Pinyin: Qǐng bǎ hétong chuánzhēn gěi wǒ.

• English: Please fax the contract to me.

• Chinese: 你的传真号码是多少？

• Pinyin: Nǐ de chuánzhēn hàomǎ shì duōshǎo?

• English: What is your fax number?

• Chinese: 我们已经收到了你的传真。

• Pinyin: Wǒmen yǐjīng shōudào le nǐ de chuánzhēn.
• English: We have already received your fax.

Cultural Notes (if applicable)

Although fax machines are no longer common in many people’s daily lives, 传真 is still an important word in professional Chinese. In some Chinese-speaking business environments, especially in older companies, hospitals, legal offices, or government departments, fax may still be used for official documents.

In mainland China today, many people prefer email, WeChat, or online document systems. However, you may still see 传真号码 listed on business cards, company websites, hotel information pages, or official forms.

Also note that 传真机 means “fax machine,” while 传真 by itself can mean either “fax” as a document or “fax” as the method of sending.

Conclusion

传真 means “fax” or “to send by fax.” The characters literally suggest “transmitting a true copy,” which helps you remember the meaning. Although it is less common in modern casual communication, it remains useful in business, office, and official situations.