'网吧' (wǎng bā) literally combines '网' (wǎng), meaning 'net' or 'internet', and '吧' (bā), a phonetic loan character from English 'bar' used to denote a casual public venue—like a coffee bar or video bar. Together, it refers specifically to an internet cafe: a commercial establishment where customers pay to use computers with internet access.

Historically common in China during the early 2000s, internet cafes served as vital social and practical hubs for students, gamers, and people without home internet. Though less dominant today due to widespread smartphones and home broadband, many still operate—especially near universities or in smaller cities—and may offer printing, gaming PCs, or snacks alongside internet service. The term is neutral in register and widely understood across age groups.