字幕

• Pinyin: zì mù
• Hanzi breakdown: 字 = 宀 + 子 (character/text); 幕 = 莫 + 巾 (curtain/screen)

Meaning

Subtitles; captions. Text displayed on screen to represent dialogue, lyrics, or explanatory information in films, videos, and broadcasts.

Encompasses both subtitles for foreign-language content and closed captions for the hearing-impaired. With the rise of streaming platforms, 字幕 has become central to media discussions. 硬字幕 (burned-in subtitles) and 软字幕 (switchable subtitles) are technical distinctions.

Examples

1. 这部外国纪录片提供了准确流畅的中文字幕，便于观众理解。 This foreign documentary provides accurate, smooth Chinese subtitles, making it easy for viewers to understand.
2. 直播平台新增了自动生成字幕的功能，大大提升了无障碍体验。 The livestreaming platform added an auto-caption feature, greatly improving accessibility.
3. 字幕翻译是影视本地化工作中至关重要的一个环节。 Subtitling is a crucial part of film and TV localization.

Usage Guide

Context: media, film, streaming, accessibility

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 请在播放时打开字幕，以便更好地理解影片的对白。(Please turn on subtitles when playing so you can better understand the film's dialogue.)
• 这部影片的字幕翻译非常精准，保留了原作的语言风格与幽默感。(The subtitle translation for this film is highly accurate, preserving the original's linguistic style and humour.)

Don't Say

• 字幕的声音 — 字幕 is purely visual text; use 配音 (dubbing) or 音轨 (audio track) for audio equivalents

Origin & History

字 (character/text) + 幕 (curtain/screen)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal