'显示器' (xiǎn shì qì) literally means 'display device' — '显' means 'to show' or 'to appear', '示' means 'to indicate' or 'to demonstrate', and '器' means 'device' or 'instrument'. Together, they form a compound noun referring specifically to a computer monitor: the screen that visually presents output from a computer or other electronic device. It is a standard technical term used in offices, schools, homes, and tech stores across Chinese-speaking regions.

This word is neutral in register and widely understood by all age groups. While colloquially some people may say '屏幕' (píngmù, 'screen') informally, '显示器' emphasizes the hardware unit itself — often including its stand, ports, and casing — rather than just the display surface. It’s commonly paired with verbs like '连接' (connect), '打开' (turn on), '更换' (replace), or '调节' (adjust), and frequently appears in specifications (e.g., '27英寸显示器').