shìpín tōnghuà: 视频通话 - Video Call, Video Chat

• Keywords: shipin tonghua, 视频通话, Chinese for video call, WeChat video call, how to say video chat in Chinese, 视频, 通话, Chinese communication, FaceTime in Chinese, Zoom in Chinese.
• Summary: “视频通话” (shìpín tōnghuà) is the standard Mandarin Chinese term for a “video call” or “video chat.” It refers to real-time audio-visual communication over a network, a practice deeply integrated into modern Chinese life through super-apps like WeChat (微信). Whether for daily chats with family, long-distance relationships, or formal business meetings, understanding how to use 视频通话 is essential for anyone learning Chinese and engaging with contemporary Chinese culture.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): shìpín tōnghuà
• Part of Speech: Noun Phrase (often used in verb-object constructions)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: A real-time, two-way audio-visual communication over a network; a video call.
• In a Nutshell: 视频通话 is the direct and most common way to say “video call.” Think of it as the Chinese equivalent of FaceTime, Zoom call, or Skype call. It combines the word for “video” (视频) and the word for “a call” (通话) into a single, logical concept that is a cornerstone of daily communication in China.

• 视 (shì): This character means “to look at,” “to see,” or “vision.” It's composed of the radical for “to see” (见) and a phonetic component.
• 频 (pín): This character means “frequency” or “repeatedly.”
• > Together, 视频 (shìpín) literally translates to “vision frequency,” the perfect technical term for “video.”
• 通 (tōng): This character means “to go through,” “to connect,” or “to communicate.” It depicts a path or channel that is open and unblocked.
• 话 (huà): This character means “speech,” “talk,” or “words.” It's composed of the “speech” radical (言) on the left.
• > Together, 通话 (tōnghuà) means “to connect speech” or “to hold a conversation,” specifically over a device like a phone.

The combination is beautifully straightforward: 视频 (video) + 通话 (call) = 视频通话 (video call).

In the West, people often use a variety of apps for different communication tasks: WhatsApp for messaging, Zoom for work, and FaceTime for family. In China, this is all consolidated within one primary ecosystem: WeChat (微信 - Wēixìn). The term 视频通话 is therefore inextricably linked to WeChat. It is not just a feature; it is a fundamental pillar of modern Chinese social life. It's the primary way migrant workers see their children in their hometowns, how students studying abroad stay connected with their parents, and how grandparents watch their grandchildren grow up from afar. This makes the act of a 视频通话 more than just a call; it's an act of maintaining connection (联系 - liánxì) and fulfilling familial duties. Compared to the Western concept of a “video call,” a 视频通话 in China feels more integrated and essential. Because WeChat also handles payments, official documents, and work communication, a video call is just one seamless part of a much larger digital life. It's less of a scheduled event (like a Zoom meeting) and more of a spontaneous, everyday interaction, as natural as sending a text message. The cultural expectation is one of constant, easy accessibility to loved ones through this medium.

视频通话 is used across all contexts, from the most informal to the highly professional.

• Informal/Personal Use: This is the most common usage. Friends and family will often initiate a video call without warning, and it's a normal way to chat. People often drop the full term and use the verb-like shortcut “视频 (shìpín)”.
  • “我们视频吧！” (Wǒmen shìpín ba!) - “Let's video chat!”
  • “我妈在跟我视频。” (Wǒ mā zài gēn wǒ shìpín.) - “My mom is video-chatting with me.”
• Formal/Professional Use: In a business or formal setting, the full term 视频通话 is more common. It's used for remote interviews, international business meetings, and client consultations. Here, it functions more like “Zoom” or “Microsoft Teams” in the West.
  • “我们下午三点可以安排一个视频通话吗？” (Wǒmen xiàwǔ sān diǎn kěyǐ ānpái yīgè shìpín tōnghuà ma?) - “Can we arrange a video call for 3 PM?”

• Example 1:
  • 我每天晚上都跟家人视频通话。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ měitiān wǎnshàng dōu gēn jiārén shìpín tōnghuà.
  • English: I have a video call with my family every evening.
  • Analysis: A simple, common sentence describing a daily routine. `跟 (gēn) … 视频通话` is a standard structure meaning “to have a video call with…”.
• Example 2:
  • 你现在方便视频通话吗？我给你看看我的新小猫。
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiànzài fāngbiàn shìpín tōnghuà ma? Wǒ gěi nǐ kànkan wǒ de xīn xiǎo māo.
  • English: Are you free for a video call right now? I want to show you my new kitten.
  • Analysis: This shows how to ask for someone's availability before starting a call, a polite and common practice.
• Example 3:
  • 对不起，我正在开会，不能接你的视频通话。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, wǒ zhèngzài kāihuì, bùnéng jiē nǐ de shìpín tōnghuà.
  • English: Sorry, I'm in a meeting right now and can't accept your video call.
  • Analysis: Shows the phrase `接视频通话 (jiē shìpín tōnghuà)`, which means “to accept/answer a video call.”
• Example 4:
  • 这里的信号不太好，视频通话有点卡。
  • Pinyin: Zhèlǐ de xìnhào bù tài hǎo, shìpín tōnghuà yǒudiǎn kǎ.
  • English: The signal here isn't very good, the video call is a bit laggy.
  • Analysis: A very practical sentence. `卡 (kǎ)` is the colloquial word for when a video or connection is lagging or frozen.
• Example 5:
  • 明天的面试将通过视频通话进行。
  • Pinyin: Míngtiān de miànshì jiāng tōngguò shìpín tōnghuà jìnxíng.
  • English: Tomorrow's interview will be conducted via video call.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates a formal, professional use of the term. `通过 (tōngguò)` means “via” or “through.”
• Example 6:
  • 我更喜欢视频通话，因为我能看到你的表情。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ gèng xǐhuān shìpín tōnghuà, yīnwèi wǒ néng kàndào nǐ de biǎoqíng.
  • English: I prefer video calls because I can see your expression.
  • Analysis: This sentence contrasts video calls with other forms of communication, highlighting its visual benefit.
• Example 7:
  • 他给我打了一个视频通话，但我没接到。
  • Pinyin: Tā gěi wǒ dǎle yīgè shìpín tōnghuà, dàn wǒ méi jiē dào.
  • English: He sent me a video call, but I missed it.
  • Analysis: The structure `打一个视频通话 (dǎ yīgè shìpín tōnghuà)` means “to make/initiate a video call,” similar to `打电话 (dǎ diànhuà)` for a phone call.
• Example 8:
  • 我们能从视频通话换成语音通话吗？我的网速太慢了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒmen néng cóng shìpín tōnghuà huàn chéng yǔyīn tōnghuà ma? Wǒ de wǎngsù tài màn le.
  • English: Can we switch from a video call to a voice call? My internet speed is too slow.
  • Analysis: This directly contrasts `视频通话` with its audio-only counterpart, `语音通话 (yǔyīn tōnghuà)`.
• Example 9:
  • 对于异地恋来说，视频通话是必不可少的。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú yìdìliàn lái shuō, shìpín tōnghuà shì bì bùkě shǎo de.
  • English: For a long-distance relationship, video calls are indispensable.
  • Analysis: This highlights the social and emotional importance of the technology. `必不可少 (bì bùkě shǎo)` means “absolutely essential.”
• Example 10:
  • 奶奶还不太会用智能手机，所以我得教她怎么视频通话。
  • Pinyin: Nǎinai hái bù tài huì yòng zhìnéng shǒujī, suǒyǐ wǒ děi jiāo tā zěnme shìpín tōnghuà.
  • English: Grandma doesn't really know how to use a smartphone yet, so I have to teach her how to make a video call.
  • Analysis: A relatable scenario showing intergenerational learning of modern technology.

• 视频通话 vs. 视频: The most common point of confusion.
  • 视频通话 (shìpín tōnghuà): The full, explicit noun for “a video call.” Use this when you need to be clear or in more formal contexts. (e.g., “我们安排一个视频通话” - “Let's schedule a video call.”)
  • 视频 (shìpín): This word is versatile. It can mean “a video” (like a movie or clip) or be used as a verb meaning “to video chat.” In casual speech, it often replaces the full term.
    • Incorrect: “我昨天看了一个很好的视频通话。” (This means “I watched a good video call.”)
    • Correct: “我昨天看了一个很好的视频。” (I watched a good video.)
    • Correct: “我们视频吧！” (Let's video chat!)
• 视频通话 vs. 视频会议 (shìpín huìyì):
  • 视频通话 is generally for one-on-one or small, informal group chats. It's the equivalent of a “call.”
  • 视频会议 (shìpín huìyì) means “video conference.” It implies a more formal, scheduled, multi-person event, usually for business or academic purposes. You wouldn't say you're having a `视频会议` with your mom.
• “To make a video call”: While you can say `打一个视频通话`, it's more common and natural in casual conversation to just use 视频 as a verb: `我给你视频` (Wǒ gěi nǐ shìpín - “I'll video you”).

• 语音通话 (yǔyīn tōnghuà) - Voice call; the audio-only equivalent.
• 微信 (Wēixìn) - WeChat, the ubiquitous super-app where most 视频通话 take place.
• 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà) - To make a (traditional) phone call.
• 视频会议 (shìpín huìyì) - Video conference; a more formal, multi-person meeting.
• 摄像头 (shèxiàngtóu) - Camera / Webcam, the hardware needed for a video call.
• 麦克风 (màikèfēng) - Microphone, the other essential piece of hardware.
• 信号 (xìnhào) - (Network) signal. A common topic of conversation during a call.
• 网络 (wǎngluò) - The internet/network. You need a good one for a smooth call.
• 联系 (liánxì) - To contact, to get in touch. 视频通话 is a primary method of maintaining contact.
• 挂断 (guàduàn) - To hang up (a call).