录 (lù) — to record (audio/video)

录 is a short verb meaning to record (audio/video). Often paired with 音 or 制 for audio/video recording; 记 and 记载 focus on writing things down.

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 錄; 录 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 錄 combines 金 (metal) with 彔, which gives the sound; the simplified 录 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical parts.