录像

• Pinyin: lù xiàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 录 = 彐 + 水 simplified, to record; 像 = 亻(person) + 象 (elephant), image

Meaning

Video recording; to record video. Both the recording and the act of recording.

Covers both the verb (to record) and noun (the recording). Common compounds: 录像机 (video recorder/VCR), 录像带 (videotape), 监控录像 (surveillance footage). While 录像机 is somewhat dated, 录像 remains common for video recordings generally.

Examples

1. 婚礼的录像我们珍藏了二十年，每次看都很感动。 We've treasured the wedding video for twenty years; every time we watch it, we're moved.
2. 警察调取了商场的监控录像，查找嫌疑人的踪迹。 The police retrieved the mall's surveillance footage to look for traces of the suspect.
3. 比赛结束后，教练让队员看录像分析战术问题。 After the game, the coach had the team watch the recording to analyze tactical issues.

Usage Guide

Context: media, security, documentation

Tone: practical

Do Say

• 你有那天的录像吗？(Do you have the video recording from that day?)
• 监控录像拍到了整个过程。(The surveillance footage captured the entire process.)

Don't Say

• 把录像和视频完全等同 (录像 implies recorded/stored video; 视频 is broader, including live streams)

Origin & History

Compound of 录 (record) + 像 (image). Recording images, i.e., video.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal