虚拟 xūnǐ to imagine
to imagine; to make up; fictitious; theoretical; hypothetical; (computing) to emulate; (computing) virtual
How to remember 虚拟: 虚 false + 拟 to draft = to imagine.
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How it is used
- The tech word for virtual/simulated - 虚拟现实 (xūnǐ xiànshí) virtual reality; 虚拟货币 (xūnǐ huòbì) virtual currency.
- Also 'hypothetical/fictitious' in a formal sense - 虚拟语气 (xūnǐ yǔqì) the subjunctive mood in grammar.
- Unlike 虚幻 (illusory), 虚拟 means intentionally modeled/emulated, not a false illusion.