A2 Collocation Neutre 2 min de lecture

放大

To enlarge/zoom in

Littéralement: Release/Put + Big

Use `放大` for zooming in on screens or metaphorically focusing too much on specific details.

En 15 secondes

  • Used for zooming in on photos or digital screens.
  • Describes making sounds louder or magnifying physical objects.
  • Metaphorically refers to exaggerating problems or emotions.
  • Standard technical term found in all Chinese software.

Signification

Think of it as the 'zoom' button on your phone or life. It means taking something small and making it bigger, whether it's a photo, a sound, or even a problem.

Exemples clés

3 sur 6
1

Looking at a map on a phone

请把地图放大一点,我看不清路名。

Please zoom in on the map a bit, I can't see the street names clearly.

😊
2

In a professional design meeting

我们需要把公司的标志放大一些。

We need to enlarge the company logo a bit.

💼
3

Texting a friend about a funny photo

你放大看他的表情,太好笑了!

Zoom in and look at his expression, it's hilarious!

🤝
🌍

Contexte culturel

While it started as a technical term for optics and photography, it has become a staple of 'internet psychology.' In China's fast-paced digital world, the phrase is often used to describe how social media 'magnifies' both the beauty and the flaws of everyday life. It's a key word for anyone navigating Chinese apps or discussing social trends.

💡

The Smartphone Gesture

If you are showing someone how to use an app in Chinese, the pinch-to-zoom gesture is always called `放大`.

⚠️

Don't use for people

Never use `放大` to say someone is getting fat or tall. That's a quick way to sound like a science experiment!

En 15 secondes

  • Used for zooming in on photos or digital screens.
  • Describes making sounds louder or magnifying physical objects.
  • Metaphorically refers to exaggerating problems or emotions.
  • Standard technical term found in all Chinese software.

What It Means

放大 is a simple but powerful verb. It literally means to make something bigger. You use it when you want to see a photo better. You use it when you turn up a speaker. It is about expanding the scale of something. It is very visual and direct.

How To Use It

Put the object right after the phrase. For example, 放大照片 means 'enlarge the photo.' You can also use it for abstract things. If you focus too much on a tiny mistake, you are 放大 that mistake. It works just like the 'zoom' gesture on your smartphone screen.

When To Use It

Use it when you are looking at digital screens. It is perfect for office meetings when the font is too small. Use it when talking about science, like using a microscope. You can also use it when discussing emotions or social issues. If someone is overreacting, they might be 'enlarging' the situation. It is a very common, everyday word.

When NOT To Use It

Don't use it for physical growth. You wouldn't use 放大 for a child getting taller. For that, use 长大. Don't use it for 'increasing' a price or a number. For numbers, use 增加. It is specifically about the visual or perceived scale of an existing thing. Don't use it to mean 'louder' in a casual conversation about a TV; usually, 开大声点 is more natural, though 放大音量 is technically correct.

Cultural Background

In modern Chinese culture, especially on social media, 放大 has a psychological twist. People talk about the 'magnifying glass effect' of the internet. One small mistake by a celebrity gets 'enlarged' by millions of users. It reflects a society that is very conscious of detail and public scrutiny. It is also the standard term in all Chinese software interfaces.

Common Variations

放大镜 is a magnifying glass. 放大器 is an amplifier for electronics. You might hear 放大大大 in a cute, informal way when someone really wants you to zoom in on a funny face in a picture. In photography, 放大倍数 refers to the zoom factor or magnification power.

Notes d'usage

The phrase is highly versatile and safe to use in almost any context involving scale. Just remember it implies an intentional action of 'zooming' or 'magnifying' rather than natural growth.

💡

The Smartphone Gesture

If you are showing someone how to use an app in Chinese, the pinch-to-zoom gesture is always called `放大`.

⚠️

Don't use for people

Never use `放大` to say someone is getting fat or tall. That's a quick way to sound like a science experiment!

💬

The 'Magnifying Glass' Guy

In Chinese internet slang, someone who looks for tiny flaws in others is said to be 'holding a magnifying glass' (`拿着放大镜`).

Exemples

6
#1 Looking at a map on a phone
😊

请把地图放大一点,我看不清路名。

Please zoom in on the map a bit, I can't see the street names clearly.

A very common request when sharing a screen.

#2 In a professional design meeting
💼

我们需要把公司的标志放大一些。

We need to enlarge the company logo a bit.

Standard professional use for graphic design.

#3 Texting a friend about a funny photo
🤝

你放大看他的表情,太好笑了!

Zoom in and look at his expression, it's hilarious!

Casual use for sharing digital content.

#4 Giving life advice to a stressed friend
💭

不要放大你的缺点,你其实很优秀。

Don't magnify your flaws; you are actually excellent.

Metaphorical use regarding self-perception.

#5 Trying to read tiny text on a menu
😊

这张照片太小了,能放大吗?

This photo is too small, can you enlarge it?

Practical everyday request.

#6 A humorous complaint about a selfie
😄

别放大我的脸,我有痘痘!

Don't zoom in on my face, I have a pimple!

Playful and relatable social interaction.

Teste-toi

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about a phone screen.

如果你看不清字,可以用手指___一下屏幕。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 放大

`放大` is the specific term for zooming in on a digital screen.

Which word fits best when talking about exaggerating a small problem?

他总是喜欢___生活中的小矛盾。

✓ Correct ! ✗ Pas tout à fait. Rponse correcte : 放大

`放大` is used metaphorically to mean exaggerating or over-focusing on details.

🎉 Score : /2

Aides visuelles

Formality of '放大'

Informal

Zooming in on funny memes with friends.

放大看这个猫!

Neutral

Standard use for tech and photos.

请放大这张照片。

Formal

Scientific or psychological discussion.

显微镜可以放大细胞。

Where to use '放大'

放大
📸

Photo Editing

放大背景

🔊

Audio/Sound

放大音量

🧠

Psychology

放大痛苦

🔍

Science

放大镜

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Yes, you can say 放大音量 to mean 'amplify the volume,' though in casual talk people often just say 开大声点.

Not at all! It applies to physical magnifying glasses (放大镜) and microscopes too.

The opposite is 缩小 (suōxiǎo), which means to shrink or zoom out.

Not really. For a business expanding, use 扩大 (kuòdà) instead of 放大.

Yes, it is a neutral, standard term. For example, 放大效应 (magnification effect) is a formal economic term.

You can say 放大倍数 for zoom level or simply use the verb 放大.

It can. If you say someone 放大缺点, it means they are exaggerating or over-focusing on flaws.

Yes, if you want a small photo printed in a larger size, you tell the shop you want to 放大 it.

Not exactly slang, but '放大招' (fàng dà zhāo) is a very popular gamer slang meaning 'to use a powerful ultimate move.'

变大 means 'to become big' (passive), while 放大 is 'to make big' (active/intentional).

Expressions liées

缩小

To shrink or zoom out

扩大

To expand (scale, influence, or business)

放大镜

Magnifying glass

夸大

To exaggerate (words/claims)

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