duǎnshìpín: 短视频 - Short Video

• Keywords: duanshipin, 短视频, short video in Chinese, what is Douyin, TikTok in Chinese, Chinese social media, shuā duǎnshìpín, Chinese video app, learn Chinese video
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 短视频 (duǎnshìpín), the Chinese term for the “short video” phenomenon that has swept China and the world. More than just a video clip, `duǎnshìpín` represents the entire culture of platforms like TikTok and its Chinese counterpart, Douyin (抖音). This page explores what `duǎnshìpín` means, how to use the term, and its immense cultural and economic impact on modern China, making it an essential vocabulary word for anyone interested in contemporary Chinese society.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): duǎnshìpín
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4+ (A modern, high-frequency term)
• Concise Definition: A short-form video, typically 15 seconds to a few minutes long, created for and consumed on mobile social media platforms.
• In a Nutshell: `短视频` isn't just a video that happens to be short; it's a specific genre of content. Think of the fast-paced, vertical, algorithm-driven videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels, or YouTube Shorts. In China, this concept is dominated by the app Douyin (抖音). It's a primary form of entertainment, a news source, a marketing channel, and a massive part of daily digital life for hundreds of millions of people.

• 短 (duǎn): Means “short” or “brief.” It's the opposite of 长 (cháng), meaning “long.”
• 视 (shì): Means “vision,” “to look at,” or “sight.” It's the same character used in 电视 (diànshì - television).
• 频 (pín): Means “frequency” or “channel.” It's the same character in 频道 (píndào - TV/radio channel).

When combined, 视频 (shìpín) literally means “vision-frequency,” which is the modern Chinese word for “video.” Adding 短 (duǎn) at the beginning simply specifies it as a “short video.” The term is a very literal and logical construction.

`短视频` is one of the most important cultural and technological phenomena in 21st-century China. To understand `短视频` is to understand a huge slice of modern Chinese life.

• The Douyin (抖音) Empire: The quintessential `短视频` platform in China is Douyin, the domestic version of TikTok (both are owned by ByteDance). It is a cultural behemoth, shaping trends in music, fashion, language, and even cooking.
• Economic Powerhouse: `短视频` is not just for fun; it's a massive industry. It is the foundation for “livestreaming e-commerce” (直播带货 - zhíbō dàihuò), where influencers (网红 - wǎnghóng) sell billions of dollars worth of products directly through their video streams. This has created a new class of celebrity and a powerful sales channel that is far more integrated into the social platform than in the West.
• Comparison to the West: While the West has TikTok, the Chinese `短视频` ecosystem is more all-encompassing. Platforms like Douyin integrate e-commerce, local services (food delivery, ticket booking), and extensive social features into a single “super-app.” You can watch a video, buy the product featured in it, book a reservation at the restaurant shown, and message a friend about it, all without leaving the app. This reflects a broader trend in Chinese tech towards integrated, all-in-one digital experiences.

`短视频` is a common topic of conversation in almost any informal setting.

• As a Pastime: The most common way you'll hear it used is with the verb 刷 (shuā), which means “to swipe” or “to scroll.” People don't just “watch” short videos (`看短视频`); they “swipe” them (`刷短视频`), reflecting the endless, addictive nature of the feed.
• In Business and Marketing: Companies will discuss their `短视频` strategy. “我们得做一个短视频来推广新产品” (Wǒmen děi zuò yí ge duǎnshìpín lái tuīguǎng xīn chǎnpǐn - We need to make a short video to promote the new product).
• As a Source of Information: For many younger Chinese people, `短视频` is a primary source for news, life hacks, and learning new skills. It's common to hear, “我是从一个短视频上学到这个的” (Wǒ shì cóng yí ge duǎnshìpín shàng xuédào zhège de - I learned this from a short video).

The term is neutral and used in both positive contexts (entertaining, informative) and negative ones (addictive, a waste of time).

• Example 1:
  • 我休息的时候喜欢刷短视频。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xiūxi de shíhou xǐhuān shuā duǎnshìpín.
  • English: When I'm resting, I like to scroll through short videos.
  • Analysis: This is the most classic and common usage. Note the verb `刷 (shuā)`, which is key to sounding natural.
• Example 2:
  • 这个短视频太搞笑了，我看了好几遍。
  • Pinyin: Zhè ge duǎnshìpín tài gǎoxiào le, wǒ kàn le hǎo jǐ biàn.
  • English: This short video is hilarious, I've watched it several times.
  • Analysis: Here, `短视频` is used as a simple noun to refer to a specific video.
• Example 3:
  • 抖音是中国最火的短视频App。
  • Pinyin: Dǒuyīn shì Zhōngguó zuì huǒ de duǎnshìpín App.
  • English: Douyin is the most popular short video app in China.
  • Analysis: This sentence describes the nature of a platform, using `短视频` as an adjective to modify “App”.
• Example 4:
  • 她想成为一个短视频博主。
  • Pinyin: Tā xiǎng chéngwéi yí ge duǎnshìpín bōzhǔ.
  • English: She wants to become a short video creator.
  • Analysis: Shows how the term can be combined with other nouns, like `博主 (bōzhǔ - blogger/creator)`.
• Example 5:
  • 很多公司利用短视频来做市场营销。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō gōngsī lìyòng duǎnshìpín lái zuò shìchǎng yíngxiāo.
  • English: Many companies use short videos to do marketing.
  • Analysis: A common usage in a business context.
• Example 6:
  • 你别整天看短视频了，快去学习！
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bié zhěngtiān kàn duǎnshìpín le, kuài qù xuéxí!
  • English: Stop watching short videos all day and go study!
  • Analysis: A great example of the term used with a negative connotation, often by parents or teachers.
• Example 7:
  • 我是从一个短视频里学会怎么做这个菜的。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shì cóng yí ge duǎnshìpín lǐ xuéhuì zěnme zuò zhège cài de.
  • English: I learned how to make this dish from a short video.
  • Analysis: Highlights how `短视频` is a source of practical information and tutorials.
• Example 8:
  • 短视频的算法会根据你的喜好推荐内容。
  • Pinyin: Duǎnshìpín de suànfǎ huì gēnjù nǐ de xǐhào tuījiàn nèiróng.
  • English: The short video algorithm will recommend content based on your preferences.
  • Analysis: A more advanced sentence discussing the technology behind the platforms.
• Example 9:
  • 拍一个有创意的短视频并不容易。
  • Pinyin: Pāi yí ge yǒu chuàngyì de duǎnshìpín bìng bù róngyì.
  • English: It's not easy to shoot a creative short video.
  • Analysis: Uses the verb `拍 (pāi - to shoot/film)` which is the correct verb for creating a video.
• Example 10:
  • 短视频平台改变了人们的娱乐方式。
  • Pinyin: Duǎnshìpín píngtái gǎibiàn le rénmen de yúlè fāngshì.
  • English: Short video platforms have changed the way people entertain themselves.
  • Analysis: A sentence describing the broad societal impact of the phenomenon.

• `刷 (shuā)` vs. `看 (kàn)`: The biggest mistake learners make is using `看 (kàn - to watch)` instead of `刷 (shuā - to swipe/scroll)`. While `看` is not grammatically wrong, `刷` is far more authentic and specific. `看视频` means to watch a video (e.g., a movie, a specific YouTube video). `刷视频` or `刷短视频` implies the act of endlessly scrolling through a feed on a mobile device.
• Not just any “video clip”: An English speaker might think `短视频` is a direct translation of “video clip.” However, a “clip” often implies it's a small part of a larger work (e.g., a movie clip). A `短视频` is almost always a standalone piece of content created specifically for the format.
• It's a phenomenon, not just a file: While `一个短视频` is “a short video,” the term `短视频` by itself often refers to the entire cultural concept, the industry, and the content genre, much like how “social media” in English refers to more than just a single website.

• 抖音 (Dǒuyīn) - The domestic Chinese version of TikTok and the most dominant short video platform in China.
• 刷 (shuā) - The essential verb for browsing short videos or social media feeds, meaning “to swipe” or “to scroll.”
• 视频 (shìpín) - The general word for “video.” `短视频` is a specific category of `视频`.
• 直播 (zhíbō) - Livestreaming. A feature heavily integrated into short video apps for e-commerce and interaction.
• 网红 (wǎnghóng) - “Internet celebrity” or influencer. Most `网红` gain fame through `短视频`.
• 博主 (bózhǔ) - A general term for a creator, vlogger, or blogger. A `短视频博主` is a short video creator.
• 带货 (dàihuò) - Literally “to bring goods,” this popular slang means “to sell products through influence,” most often via `直播` on `短视频` apps.
• 算法 (suànfǎ) - Algorithm. The engine that powers `短视频` feeds, personalizing content for each user.
• 流量 (liúliàng) - Internet “traffic,” “views,” or “engagement.” The main currency for creators and platforms.