译码 (yì mǎ) — (verb) to decode, to decipher; (noun) decoding

Definition

译码 (yì mǎ) means 'to decode' — converting encoded signals or data back into a readable form, used technically in computing and communications. Closely paired with 编码 ('to encode'); think 解密 for breaking secret codes.

verb
to decodeto decipher
noun
decoding

Examples

  • 译码。
    Zhè tái jī qì kě yǐ zì dòng yì mǎ.
    This machine can automatically decode.
  • 。
    Wǒ men yì le sān cì mǎ cái chéng gōng.
    We decoded three times before succeeding.
  • 译码。
    Zhè zhǒng yì mǎ jì shù yǐ jīng hěn chéng shú le.
    This kind of decoding technology is already very mature.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
动宾dòngbīnVerb + object

An action followed by what it acts on, fused into one word.

译yìtranslate/decode
码mǎcode

“译” (translate/decode) and “码” (code) together describe turning code into readable information.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 譯; 译 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yánsay
Sound part声符shēngfú
睪
睪yì譯yì
Same sound today

The traditional form 譯 uses 言 (say) with 睪 for its sound; the simplified 译 is a later shorthand.

Open 译 →

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 碼; 码 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
石石shístone; rock
Sound part声符shēngfú
馬
馬mǎ碼mǎ
Same sound today

The traditional form 碼 pairs 石 (stone) with 馬 for its sound; the simplified 码 is a later shorthand.

Open 码 →

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