Welcome to our guide on how to say “video” in Chinese! In this guide, we will walk you through the formal and informal ways to express this term in Mandarin Chinese. While regional variations exist, we will primarily focus on the standard Mandarin pronunciation used in Mainland China and Taiwan. So, let’s dive in and explore the various ways to say “video” in Chinese!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Video” in Chinese
1. 视频 (shì pín)
The most common and formal way to say “video” in Chinese is “视频” (shì pín). This term directly translates to “video” and is widely used across China and other Mandarin-speaking regions. For example:
我刚刚看了一段有趣的视频。
Wǒ gānggāng kàn le yī duàn yǒuqù de shìpín.
I just watched an interesting video.
2. 录像 (lù xiàng)
Another formal term for “video” is “录像” (lù xiàng). It combines the characters for “record” and “image” to represent the idea of a recorded image. This term is commonly used in formal settings, such as news reports or official documentation. For example:
这段录像是一份重要的证据。
Zhè duàn lù xiàng shì yī fèn zhòngyào de zhèngjù.
This video is an important piece of evidence.
Informal Ways to Say “Video” in Chinese
1. 视屏 (shì píng)
In informal contexts, a common way to say “video” is “视屏” (shì píng), which sounds very similar to the formal term “视频.” This term is often used in casual conversations or when referring to online videos. Here’s an example:
这个视屏真好笑，你一定要看一看。
Zhè gè shì píng zhēn hǎoxiào, nǐ yīdìng yào kàn yī kàn.
This video is really funny; you must check it out.
2. 录像带 (lù xiàng dài)
While slightly outdated due to technological advancements, another informal term for “video” is “录像带” (lù xiàng dài), which means “video tape.” It refers to the older format of videos stored on physical tapes. People still use this term occasionally to indicate a video recording. For example:
我找到了以前我们的录像带。
Wǒ zhǎodào le yǐqián wǒmen de lù xiàng dài.
I found our old video tape.
Additional Tips and Examples
1. If you want to emphasize that the video is a short clip, you can use the word “短片” (duǎn piàn), which means “short film.” This term is commonly used when referring to short videos or movie trailers.
这个短片很有创意。
Zhè gè duǎn piàn hěn yǒu chuàngyì.
This short film is very creative.
2. When asking someone if they have seen a particular video, you can use the phrase “看过这个视频吗？” (kàn guò zhè ge shì pín ma?).
小明，你看过这个视频吗？
Xiǎo Míng, nǐ kàn guò zhè ge shì pín ma?
Xiao Ming, have you seen this video?
3. If you want to emphasize that the video is on a specific topic, you can use the phrase “关于…的视频” (guān yú… de shì pín), which means “video about…”. For example:
我喜欢看关于旅行的视频。
Wǒ xǐhuān kàn guān yú lǚxíng de shì pín.
I enjoy watching videos about travel.
Remember, the context and formality of the situation will influence the choice of term when referring to “video” in Chinese. It’s essential to consider the setting to select the appropriate way to express yourself.
Now that you have a solid understanding of how to say “video” in Chinese, go ahead and impress your Mandarin-speaking friends or colleagues with your newfound knowledge!
