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转录 (zhuǎn lù) — to copy (audio/video); to dub; (biology/genetics) to transcribe

Definition

Literally 'to record again' — used for copying audio/video to a new medium and, in biology, for the cell copying DNA into RNA. Distinct from 翻译 (translate) and 记录 (take notes).

verb
to copy (audio/video)to dub(biology/genetics) to transcribe

Examples

  • 转录DVD。
    Tā bǎ nà pán lù xiàng dài zhuǎn lù chéng le DVD.
    He copied that videotape onto DVD.
  • 转录DNA。
    zhuǎn lù DNA xū yào tè dìng de méi.
    Transcribing DNA requires specific enzymes.
  • 转录。
    Zhè ge lù yīn zhuǎn lù dé bú tài qīng chǔ.
    This recording was copied not very clearly.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

转zhuǎntransfer
录lùrecord

转 (transfer) describes how something is 录 (recorded).

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 轉; 转 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
車車jūcarriage
Sound part声符shēngfú
專
專zhuān轉zhuǎn
Same sound today

The traditional form 轉 combines 車, a carriage, with 專 as a sound part; the simplified 转 is a later shorthand.

Open 转 →

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
金金jīnmetal
Sound part声符shēngfú
彔
彔lù錄lù
Same sound today

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.

Open 录 →
Appears in
Biology

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