fēnbiànlǜ: 分辨率 - Resolution

• Keywords: fēnbiànlǜ, 分辨率, resolution, screen resolution, image resolution, high resolution, 4K resolution, Chinese for resolution, display resolution, pixel, clarity, tech specs in Chinese.
• Summary: Learn the essential Chinese tech term 分辨率 (fēnbiànlǜ), which means “resolution.” This guide is perfect for anyone wanting to discuss screen quality, camera specs, or image clarity in Mandarin. We'll break down the characters, provide dozens of practical example sentences for buying electronics or adjusting settings, and clarify the difference between 分辨率 (resolution) and 清晰度 (clarity) to avoid common mistakes.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): fēnbiànlǜ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: The degree of detail visible on a screen or in an image; resolution.
• In a Nutshell: 分辨率 (fēnbiànlǜ) is the direct Chinese word for “resolution” in a technical context. You use it whenever you talk about the quality of your computer monitor, TV, smartphone screen, or a digital photograph. It refers to the number of pixels on a display—a higher 分辨率 means a sharper, more detailed picture.

• 分 (fēn): This character's core meaning is “to divide,” “to separate,” or “part.” It suggests breaking something down into its smaller components.
• 辨 (biàn): This character means “to distinguish” or “to tell the difference.” It implies the ability to perceive details clearly.
• 率 (lǜ): This character means “rate” or “ratio.” It adds a sense of measurement and standardization to the word.

When combined, 分 (divide) + 辨 (distinguish) + 率 (rate) literally create the concept of a “rate of distinguishing divisions.” This perfectly captures the technical meaning of resolution: a measurement of how many distinct parts (pixels) you can see in a given space.

Unlike ancient, philosophical terms, 分辨率 is a modern word whose significance is tied to China's technological boom. In the West, discussing screen resolution might be common among tech enthusiasts or professionals. In modern China, however, it's an everyday term for the average consumer. This is because China is both a major manufacturer and a massive consumer market for electronics. When shopping for a new smartphone from Huawei, a TV from Hisense, or a drone from DJI, discussing the 分辨率 is a standard part of the process. High 分辨率 is a key selling point and a source of pride in domestic technology. Therefore, understanding this term is crucial for navigating one of the most visible and dynamic aspects of contemporary Chinese life: the world of tech and consumer electronics.

分辨率 is a neutral, technical term used in both formal and informal settings.

• Shopping for Electronics: It's one of the first questions you might ask when buying a new device. Salespeople will frequently highlight the high 分辨率 of their products.
• Tech and Gaming: In tech reviews, on social media, or in gaming forums, people constantly compare the 分辨率 of different devices. Gamers often adjust the in-game 分辨率 for better performance or visual quality.
• Professional Settings: In fields like graphic design, photography, and video production, specifying the correct 分辨率 for a project is a critical task.
• Metaphorical Use (Advanced): In rare, more formal or technical contexts, it can be used metaphorically to mean “analytical ability” or the capacity to see a problem with clarity. However, this usage is far less common.

• Example 1:
  • 这台新电视的分辨率是4K的。
  • Pinyin: Zhè tái xīn diànshì de fēnbiànlǜ shì 4K de.
  • English: The resolution of this new TV is 4K.
  • Analysis: A simple, common statement you'd hear when shopping or talking about a new purchase. “4K” is used directly in Chinese.
• Example 2:
  • 你能帮我把电脑的屏幕分辨率调高一点吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ bǎ diànnǎo de píngmù fēnbiànlǜ tiáo gāo yīdiǎn ma?
  • English: Can you help me turn up the screen resolution on the computer a bit?
  • Analysis: This shows how 分辨率 is used as the object of the verb “to adjust” (调, tiáo).
• Example 3:
  • 这张照片的分辨率太低了，放大后就变得很模糊。
  • Pinyin: Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn de fēnbiànlǜ tài dī le, fàngdà hòu jiù biànde hěn móhu.
  • English: This photo's resolution is too low; it gets very blurry after you zoom in.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates the practical consequence of low resolution (低分辨率, dī fēnbiànlǜ). 模糊 (móhu) means “blurry.”
• Example 4:
  • 我的手机摄像头分辨率高达一亿像素。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ de shǒujī shèxiàngtóu fēnbiànlǜ gāodá yī yì xiàngsù.
  • English: My phone camera's resolution is as high as 100 million pixels.
  • Analysis: A great example of marketing language. 高达 (gāodá) means “to reach as high as,” and 像素 (xiàngsù) is “pixel.”
• Example 5:
  • 请问这款显示器的最高分辨率是多少？
  • Pinyin: Qǐngwèn zhè kuǎn xiǎnshìqì de zuìgāo fēnbiànlǜ shì duōshǎo?
  • English: Excuse me, what is the maximum resolution of this monitor?
  • Analysis: A key phrase for anyone buying computer parts in China. 显示器 (xiǎnshìqì) means “monitor.”
• Example 6:
  • 为了让游戏运行得更流畅，我降低了分辨率。
  • Pinyin: Wèile ràng yóuxì yùnxíng de gèng liúchàng, wǒ jiàngdī le fēnbiànlǜ.
  • English: In order to make the game run more smoothly, I lowered the resolution.
  • Analysis: Perfect for talking about gaming. 流畅 (liúchàng) means “smooth” or “fluent.”
• Example 7:
  • 对于平面设计来说，图像分辨率至少需要300 DPI。
  • Pinyin: Duìyú píngmiàn shèjì lái shuō, túxiàng fēnbiànlǜ zhìshǎo xūyào sānbǎi DPI.
  • English: For graphic design, the image resolution needs to be at least 300 DPI.
  • Analysis: Shows a professional use case. Note that acronyms like “DPI” are often used directly.
• Example 8:
  • 高分辨率的屏幕看久了眼睛更舒服。
  • Pinyin: Gāo fēnbiànlǜ de píngmù kàn jiǔ le yǎnjīng gèng shūfu.
  • English: Looking at a high-resolution screen for a long time is more comfortable for the eyes.
  • Analysis: A common belief and selling point. 高 (gāo) is often used as a shorthand for “high resolution.”
• Example 9:
  • 虽然两款手机的屏幕尺寸一样，但它们的分辨率不同。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán liǎng kuǎn shǒujī de píngmù chǐcùn yīyàng, dàn tāmen de fēnbiànlǜ bùtóng.
  • English: Although the two phones' screen sizes are the same, their resolutions are different.
  • Analysis: Highlights a comparison, a very common scenario when discussing tech.
• Example 10:
  • 他对复杂问题的分辨率很高，总能找到关键点。
  • Pinyin: Tā duì fùzá wèntí de fēnbiànlǜ hěn gāo, zǒng néng zhǎodào guānjiàndiǎn.
  • English: His “resolution” for complex problems is very high; he can always find the key point.
  • Analysis: This is the rare, metaphorical usage, meaning “analytical ability.” Use this with caution as it's not common in daily speech.

• “Resolution” vs. “Clarity”: A major pitfall is confusing 分辨率 (fēnbiànlǜ) with 清晰度 (qīngxīdù).
  • 分辨率 is a technical specification (e.g., 1920×1080 pixels). It is objective.
  • 清晰度 (qīngxīdù) means “clarity” or “sharpness.” It is a subjective perception of quality.
  • Correct: 这张照片的分辨率很高，但是没对上焦，所以清晰度很差。 (Zhè zhāng zhàopiàn de fēnbiànlǜ hěn gāo, dànshì méi duì shàng jiāo, suǒyǐ qīngxīdù hěn chà.) - “This photo's resolution is high, but it's out of focus, so its clarity is very poor.”
• “False Friend” Alert: Do NOT use 分辨率 for other English meanings of “resolution.”
  • To “resolve a conflict” is 解决冲突 (jiějué chōngtū).
  • A “New Year's resolution” is 新年决心 (xīnnián juéxīn).
  • Using 分辨率 in these contexts is incorrect and will cause confusion.

• * 清晰度 (qīngxīdù) - Clarity or sharpness. The subjective visual quality, which is affected by but not identical to resolution.
• * 像素 (xiàngsù) - Pixel. The individual dots of light that make up a digital screen or image; the building blocks of resolution.
• * 高清 (gāoqīng) - High Definition (HD). A general term for a specific standard of high resolution (like 720p or 1080p).
• * 画质 (huàzhì) - Picture quality. A broad term that encompasses resolution, color accuracy, contrast, and brightness.
• * 屏幕 (píngmù) - Screen, display. The physical object that has a resolution.
• * 刷新率 (shuāxīnlǜ) - Refresh rate. Another key screen specification, measuring how many times per second the image is updated (measured in Hz).
• * 尺寸 (chǐcùn) - Size, dimensions. Often discussed alongside resolution (e.g., a 27-inch monitor with 4K resolution).