A Chinese astronaut is commonly called a taikonaut in some English-language news media organizations. This term distinguishes them from astronauts from other countries.
Understanding the Term Taikonaut
The term taikonaut is a portmanteau of the Chinese word "taikong," meaning space, and the English word "naut." While the official Chinese term for an astronaut is yuhangyuan (宇航员), the term taikonaut gained popularity in Western media to specifically refer to Chinese space travelers.
Key Points About Taikonauts
- Professional Space Travelers: Taikonauts are professional space travelers trained and selected by the Chinese space program.
- Distinctive Term: The use of "taikonaut" helps to distinguish Chinese space travelers from astronauts from other nations like the United States or Russia.
- Media Usage: The term "taikonaut" is most frequently encountered in English-language media, whereas within China, the term yuhangyuan is used.
Why "Taikonaut" Is Used
- Cultural Differentiation: It serves to identify the cultural origin of space travelers, creating a unique identifier for Chinese astronauts in international space discussions.
- Ease of Communication: In the global media, adopting a specific term like "taikonaut" reduces confusion and allows for clearer communication about space exploration efforts.
Examples of Usage
- When a Chinese space mission is launched, news reports often state: "The taikonauts are preparing for their mission."
- A headline might read: "Taikonauts complete spacewalk at the Chinese Space Station."
Summary
In summary, while the official Chinese term for an astronaut is yuhangyuan, the term taikonaut is frequently used by some English-language media outlets to specifically refer to professional space travelers from China. This usage helps to clarify and differentiate Chinese astronauts from those of other countries in international media.
