影像 (yǐng xiàng) — image | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

影像 refers specifically to a captured visual record — a photo, scan, or filmed image — rather than an abstract image. It's broader than 图像 (digital/drawn graphics) and includes film/video, as in 影视.

noun

image

Measure word · 个

Examples

影像。
Yī shēng kàn le zhè zhāng yǐng xiàng.
The doctor looked at this image.
影像。
Zhè zhāng yǐng xiàng shì cóng wèi xīng shàng pāi shè de.
This image was taken from a satellite.
影像。
Diàn yǐng zhōng de yǐng xiàng xiào guǒ fēi cháng zhèn hàn.
The visual effects in the movie were very stunning.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

像xiànglikeness

影 and 像 both refer to an image or likeness, so together they mean image.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

景彡影

Meaning part形符xíngfú

彡彡shān

Sound part声符shēngfú

景

景jǐng影yǐng

Same sound today

影 pairs 景, which gives the sound and also carries the idea of image, with 彡, the part that points to shadow.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

亻象像

Meaning part形符xíngfú

亻Written in full as人rénperson

Sound part声符shēngfú

象

Same sound today

像 uses 亻, the side form of 人 (person), with 象 giving the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Photography & Design 5000 Most Frequent Chinese Words

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.