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频率 (pín lǜ) — frequency

Definition

Used for how often something happens (recurring events, like posts or ads) AND for physical wave frequency. Vs 次数: 频率 implies a regular, measurable rate; 次数 is simply a count of occurrences.

noun
frequency

Examples

  • 频率，。
    Zhè zhǒng shēng yīn de pín lǜ hěn dī, rén de ěr duo tīng bú dào.
    The frequency of this sound is very low; human ears can't hear it.
  • 频率。
    Tā zuì jìn fā péng you quān de pín lǜ jiǎn shǎo le hěn duō.
    The frequency of his posting on Moments has decreased a lot recently.
  • 频率，。
    Guǎng gào chū xiàn de pín lǜ tài gāo le, ràng rén hěn fán.
    The frequency of ads appearing is too high; it's really annoying.

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.

频pínfrequent
率lǜrate

频 shows how often something occurs and 率 gives the rate, together meaning frequency.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 頻; 频 is its simplified writing.

For 频, the traditional form 頻 came from an older form showing a person near water and meaning 'on the verge'; one part was later removed to mark the 'frequent' use.

Open 频 →

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

率 was drawn as a bird-catching net, with a stick above and below. In the form described, the lower horizontal stroke is missing, so the whole shape represents a rope.

Open 率 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 6HSK 2.0 Level 6Frequency & Duration

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