Blockchain Terminology Guide: Key Translations and Concepts

This guide compiles blockchain-specific translations and principles from hands-on experience, focusing on accurate terminology, contextual usage, and industry standards.


Core Blockchain Terms

Fundamental Definitions

  • Unique Address: A privacy-focused address used only once (not “唯一地址”).
  • Active Transactions per Day: Daily count of on-chain transactions.
  • Monitoring Node: A node tracking network activity (not “监控节点”).
  • Seed Word: Translated as “助记词” (mnemonic phrase), not “种子词”.
  • Network Weight: Measures node influence (not “网络重量”).
  • Coin/Token: Both translate to “代币” in blockchain contexts (not “硬币” or “令牌”).

Translation Principles

  1. Verify Ambiguous Terms:
  2. Check existing industry translations (e.g., “seed word” → “助记词”).
  3. Consult authoritative sources or peers.
  4. Context Matters:
  5. Example: “Token” in blockchain = “代币”; in security systems = “令牌”.
  6. Handle Cultural References:
  7. Explain metaphors (e.g., “TL;DR” as “Too Long; Didn’t Read”).
  8. Simplify Complex Sentences:
  9. Break clauses into concise statements.

👉 Explore advanced blockchain concepts


Comprehensive Blockchain Glossary (A-Z)

Term Definition
51-Attack Majority hash power attack to alter transaction history.
Accidental Fork Temporary blockchain split due to simultaneous blocks.
Base58Check Encoding for Bitcoin addresses (160-bit hash).
Coinbase Transaction Miner-generated transaction with block rewards.
Double Spend Attempt to reuse spent satoshis.
Merkle Root Root hash of all transactions in a block.
P2PKH/P2SH Script types for address-based (“Pay to Pubkey Hash”) and script-based payments.
UTXO Unspent Transaction Output (funds available for spending).

📌 Pro Tip: Use “代币” for token in blockchain contexts; reserve “令牌” for non-crypto uses like authentication.


FAQs

1. Why is “seed word” translated as “助记词”?

It reflects its purpose—a mnemonic phrase to recover wallets, unlike “种子词” (literal “seed word”).

2. How to handle terms without consensus (e.g., “staking”)?

Leave untranslated or clarify with a footnote (e.g., “量子链中的 staking 机制”).

3. What’s the difference between “coin” and “token”?

  • Coin: Native asset of a blockchain (e.g., BTC).
  • Token: Asset built atop a chain (e.g., ERC-20).

👉 Dive deeper into blockchain security


Additional Resources


Key Takeaways

  • Prioritize accuracy and context in translations.
  • Adapt sentences for natural Chinese flow (e.g., replace passive voice).
  • Flag cultural/literary references (e.g., “Big Brother” from 1984).

For ambiguous terms, ask peers or default to the original English.