IM is short for instant messaging: a way to send short written notes to someone over the internet and get an answer almost at once, while you are both around. In the 1990s and 2000s this was a huge part of life on the computer — programmes like MSN, AIM, or Yahoo Messenger.

IM就是 instant messaging即時訊息 is short for的縮寫： a way一種方式—— over the internet透過網路 to send short written notes to someone傳簡短的文字給某個人， and get an answer almost at once幾乎馬上得到回覆， while you are both around趁你們兩個都在的時候。 In the 1990s and 2000s在 1990 和 2000 年代， this was這曾是 life on the computer電腦生活裡 a huge part很大的一塊—— programmes like像這些程式 MSN, AIM, or Yahoo Messenger MSN、AIM 或 Yahoo Messenger。

Though actually, a lot of younger people do not say IM any more; they say text, DM (a private message on Instagram or X), or they just name the app, like LINE. At work, some offices still say IM for the little chat box next to email.

Though actually不過其實， a lot of younger people很多比較年輕的人 do not say IM any more已經不說 IM 了； they say他們說 text、 DM (on Instagram or X在 Instagram 或 X 上的 a private message私訊)， or they just name the app或直接叫出 app 的名字， like LINE像 LINE。 At work在職場上， some offices有些辦公室 for the little chat box next to email對 email 旁邊那個小聊天框 still say IM還是說 IM。

As a verb, some people say “IM me”. It is writing, not a phone call, and it is meant to feel quick and a bit like talking, not like a formal letter.

As a verb當動詞時， some people say有些人會說 “IM me”傳 IM 給我。 It is writing它是用寫的， not a phone call不是打電話， and it is meant to feel quick而且它就是要讓人覺得快、 and a bit like talking有點像在聊天， not like a formal letter不像一封正式的信。

These two letters can mean other things in other rooms, but here they mean internet chat.

These two letters這兩個字母 in other rooms在別的場合 can mean other things可以指別的東西， but here但在這裡 they mean它們指的就是 internet chat網路聊天。