Learning a new language opens the doors to new worlds, and for enthusiasts of aerospace and aviation, knowing the relevant vocabulary in Chinese can significantly enhance the experience, whether it’s for professional communication or personal interest. Grasping the technical lexicon is a vital step toward fluency in any field-specific dialogue. In this article, we’ll explore some of the key Chinese vocabulary associated with aerospace and aviation, with definitions and example sentences for each term.

航空 (hángkōng)
Definition: Aviation; the activities surrounding mechanical flight and the aircraft industry.
这项新技术将对航空领域产生革命性影响。
(Translation: This new technology will have a revolutionary impact on the field of aviation.)

航天 (hángtiān)
Definition: Aerospace; this refers to the human effort in science, engineering, and business to fly in the atmosphere of Earth (aeronautics) and surrounding space (astronautics).
中国的航天事业正蓬勃发展。
(Translation: China’s aerospace industry is flourishing.)

飞机 (fēijī)
Definition: Airplane; a powered flying vehicle with fixed wings and a weight greater than that of the air it displaces.
飞机即将起飞，请系好安全带。
(Translation: The plane is about to take off, please fasten your seatbelt.)

直升机 (zhíshēngjī)
Definition: Helicopter; an aircraft that derives both lift and propulsion from one or more sets of horizontally revolving overhead rotors.
直升机在紧急情况下起飞了。
(Translation: The helicopter took off in an emergency.)

宇航员 (yǔhángyuán)
Definition: Astronaut; a person who is trained to travel in a spacecraft.
中国的宇航员正在为下一次太空任务做准备。
(Translation: Chinese astronauts are preparing for the next space mission.)

机场 (jīchǎng)
Definition: Airport; a complex of runways and buildings for the takeoff, landing, and maintenance of civil aircraft.
我们的航班将在北京首都机场降落。
(Translation: Our flight will land at Beijing Capital International Airport.)

飞航 (fēiháng)
Definition: Flight; the action or process of flying through the air.
由于天气原因，今天的飞航可能会延误。
(Translation: Due to the weather, today’s flight might be delayed.)

航班 (hángbān)
Definition: Flight; a set of agreed movements by aircraft, from one airport to another.
你的航班号是多少？
(Translation: What is your flight number?)

卫星 (wèixīng)
Definition: Satellite; an artificial body placed in orbit around the earth or another planet to collect information or for communication.
这颗卫星可用于天气预报。
(Translation: This satellite can be used for weather forecasting.)

空间站 (kōngjiānzhàn)
Definition: Space station; a large artificial satellite used as a long-term base for manned operations in space.
国际空间站是一个国际合作的科研平台。
(Translation: The International Space Station is a platform for international scientific research.)

探测器 (tàncèqì)
Definition: Probe; a spacecraft that travels through space to collect science information about the cosmos or a celestial body.
这个探测器将为我们提供火星的数据。
(Translation: This probe will provide us with data about Mars.)

飞行器 (fēixíngqì)
Definition: Aircraft; any machine capable of atmospheric flight.
新型飞行器将在下个月进行试飞。
(Translation: The new type of aircraft will have a test flight next month.)

火箭 (huǒjiàn)
Definition: Rocket; a missile, spacecraft, aircraft or other vehicle that obtains thrust from a rocket engine.
火箭发射成功，卫星进入预定轨道。
(Translation: The rocket launch was successful, and the satellite entered its predetermined orbit.)

Knowing these terms is just the starting point for engaging with Chinese aviation and aerospace discussions. As with learning any specialized vocabulary, remember to frequently practice using these words in context, and consider expanding your vocabulary to include more technical terms and industry-specific jargon. With dedication and enthusiasm, your command of Chinese aerospace and aviation terminology will surely take off!