Blockchain (区块链)

Blockchain (区块链 qū kuài liàn) is an ordered, back-linked, and growing list of blocks (区块 qū kuài) of transactions that are linked using cryptography. Also see: block.

Part 1: Breakdown of Words

• “Block” (区块 qū kuài) derives from:
  • “区” as in “free trade area” (自贸区 zì mào qū) and “dining area” (用餐区 yòng cān qū).
  • “块” as in “woodblock” (木块 mù kuài), “brick” (砖块 zhuān kuài), or “broken pieces” (碎块 suì kuài).
• “Chain” (链 liàn) as in “food chain” (食物链 shí wù liàn), or “chain reaction” (链式反应 liàn shì fǎn yìng). Sometimes “Chain” (链 liàn) will also be translated to “连锁” (lián suǒ), like “chain store” (连锁店 lián suǒ diàn), or “chain reaction” (连锁反应 lián suǒ fǎn yìn) (the other common translation of chain reaction). 

Part 2: Examples

1. Blockchain (区块链 qū kuài liàn).
2. Blockchain technology (区块链技术 qū kuài liàn jì shù).
3. Blockchain wallet (区块链钱包 qū kuài liàn qián bāo).