How to Say "Tape" in Chinese - How To Say Guide

磁带

cídài

In Chinese, the term for tape is 磁带 (cídài).

The term 磁带 refers specifically to magnetic recording tape.

Meaning: to bind with adhesive tape (verb)

What does it mean word for word?

The word 磁带 is composed of 磁 (magnet/magnetic) and 带 (tape/belt/strip).

While 磁带 refers specifically to magnetic recording tape, 胶带 is the term used for adhesive tape used for binding or sealing.

In Taiwan, people often use 錄音帶 (lù yīn dài) instead of 录音带 (lù yīn dài) and 錄影帶 (lù yǐng dài) instead of 录像带 (lù xiàng dài).

cídài

Chinese uses the term 带 for everything from a waist belt to a conveyor belt and a cassette tape, grouping these disparate items by their physical shape rather than their function.
The character 胶 used in 胶带 refers to various glues and adhesives, but it is also the character used to describe 'collagen' in food and skin care.
The character 带 (dài) used in 'tape' is also the common word for 'to bring' or 'to carry' in many contexts.

我的磁带录音机需要维修。
My cassette tape recorder needs fixing.
This sentence shows how to use 磁带 when talking about a cassette tape recorder.
Tatoeba #14023294 by jan_OkulaJu, translation #321457 by CK
这个磁带录音机不是新的。
This tape recorder is not new.
This sentence uses 磁带 to describe a tape recorder.
Tatoeba #796870 by fucongcong, translation #60853 by CK
他把他的那段话从磁带里删除了。
He erased his speech from the tape.
This sentence demonstrates using 磁带 in the context of erasing content from a tape.
Tatoeba #335087 by fucongcong, translation #291807 by CK

Haoran and Xiaowen are packing a box.

浩然 Haoran

帮我用磁带封好这个箱子。
bāng wǒ yòng cí dài fēng hǎo zhè ge xiāng zi.
Help me seal this box with tape.
晓雯 Xiaowen

好的，磁带在桌子上吗？
hǎo de, cí dài zài zhuō zi shàng ma?
Okay, is the tape on the table?
浩然 Haoran

是的，请快点用磁带贴住它。
shì de, qǐng kuài diǎn yòng cí dài tiē zhù tā.
Yes, please use the tape to stick it quickly.
晓雯 Xiaowen

没问题，我已经贴好了。
méi wèn tí, wǒ yǐ jīng tiē hǎo le.
No problem, I've already taped it.

Sources

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