zhēnlǜ: 帧率 - Frame Rate

• Keywords: zhenlu, 帧率, what is zhenlu, zhenlu meaning, Chinese for frame rate, frame rate in Chinese, FPS in Chinese, frames per second, Chinese gaming terms, high refresh rate Chinese, 掉帧, diàozhēn
• Summary: Learn the essential modern Chinese term 帧率 (zhēnlǜ), which directly translates to “frame rate” or FPS (frames per second). This guide explains its meaning, how to use it when discussing video games, movies, and technology in China, and how it reflects China's deep integration into global tech culture. Perfect for gamers, tech enthusiasts, and anyone wanting to speak about modern media in Mandarin.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhēn lǜ
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: The frequency (rate) at which consecutive images (frames) are displayed on a screen.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a flipbook. The speed at which you flip the pages determines how smooth the animation looks. 帧率 (zhēnlǜ) is the technical term for this speed, measured in “frames per second” (FPS). A higher `zhēnlǜ` means a smoother, more fluid visual experience, which is highly desirable in video games, high-definition videos, and modern smartphones.

• 帧 (zhēn): The core meaning of this character is a “frame.” The left side, the radical 木 (mù), means “wood,” hinting at an origin related to wooden frames like those for doors or pictures. In modern technical contexts, it has been perfectly adapted to mean a single still image in a sequence of video or animation.
• 率 (lǜ): This character means “rate,” “ratio,” or “frequency.” It's a common component in words related to measurement and statistics, such as 效率 (xiàolǜ - efficiency) and 频率 (pínlǜ - frequency).

When combined, 帧率 (zhēnlǜ) is a highly logical and literal compound word: Frame (帧) + Rate (率).

Unlike ancient concepts like `面子 (miànzi)`, the significance of 帧率 (zhēnlǜ) is its modernity. Its widespread use is a direct reflection of China's role as a global technology powerhouse and its massive consumer electronics and gaming markets. In the West, discussing FPS or “frame rate” is common among gamers and tech enthusiasts. The situation is identical in China. Being able to discuss `帧率`, `刷新率 (shuāxīnlǜ, refresh rate)`, and `分辨率 (fēnbiànlǜ, resolution)` is a marker of being tech-savvy, especially for younger generations. Companies like Huawei, Xiaomi, and Oppo heavily market their phones' high refresh rate screens, which enable a smoother perception of the `帧率`. Furthermore, China is home to the world's largest video game market. In communities dedicated to popular games like Honor of Kings (王者荣耀 Wángzhě Róngyào) or Genshin Impact (原神 Yuánshén), discussions about optimizing `帧率` to avoid lag (卡顿 kǎdùn) or frame drops (掉帧 diàozhēn) are constant and passionate. Thus, understanding `帧率` is not just about learning a technical term; it's about gaining access to a major part of modern Chinese youth culture.

帧率 (zhēnlǜ) is used in specific, primarily technical contexts. It's not an everyday conversational word for everyone, but it is essential within its domains.

• Video Gaming: This is the most common context. A high `帧率` (高帧率) is the goal for smooth gameplay. A low or unstable `帧率` leads to a poor experience. The English abbreviation “FPS” is also extremely common and used interchangeably.
• Tech Reviews and Shopping: When buying a new smartphone, monitor, or TV, the device's ability to support a high `帧率` is a key selling point. Tech reviewers on platforms like Bilibili and Douyin will always test and report the `帧率` performance of new gadgets.
• Filmmaking and Video Production: Professionals in the media industry use `帧率` to discuss technical standards, such as shooting a film at 24 FPS for a “cinematic” look or 60 FPS for slow-motion effects.

The term itself is neutral, but it's almost always discussed in a context where “high” is good and “low” or “unstable” is bad.

• Example 1:
  • 我新买的手机屏幕帧率很高，滑动起来特别流畅。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ xīn mǎi de shǒujī píngmù zhēnlǜ hěn gāo, huádòng qǐlái tèbié liúchàng.
  • English: The frame rate of my new phone's screen is very high; it's especially smooth when I scroll.
  • Analysis: A common way someone might praise their new tech purchase. It connects the technical term `帧率` to the feeling of `流畅` (liúchàng - smooth).
• Example 2:
  • 这款游戏优化太差了，一到复杂的场景就开始掉帧率。
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn yóuxì yōuhuà tài chà le, yī dào fùzá de chǎngjǐng jiù kāishǐ diào zhēnlǜ.
  • English: This game's optimization is terrible. As soon as you get to a complex scene, the frame rate starts to drop.
  • Analysis: “掉帧” (diàozhēn - to drop frames) is a super common verb phrase used with `帧率`. This is a typical gamer complaint.
• Example 3:
  • 你想把帧率设置成60还是120？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng bǎ zhēnlǜ shèzhì chéng liùshí háishì yībǎi èrshí?
  • English: Do you want to set the frame rate to 60 or 120?
  • Analysis: A direct question about game or device settings. The numbers are spoken just as they are in English.
• Example 4:
  • 为了保证帧率稳定，我把画质调低了一点。
  • Pinyin: Wèile bǎozhèng zhēnlǜ wěndìng, wǒ bǎ huàzhì tiáo dī le yīdiǎn.
  • English: In order to ensure a stable frame rate, I lowered the graphics quality a bit.
  • Analysis: This sentence demonstrates the trade-off between visual quality (画质 huàzhì) and performance (`帧率`).
• Example 5:
  • 这部电影是用高帧率技术拍摄的，动作场面看起来非常逼真。
  • Pinyin: Zhè bù diànyǐng shì yòng gāo zhēnlǜ jìshù pāishè de, dòngzuò chǎngmiàn kàn qǐlái fēicháng bīzhēn.
  • English: This movie was shot using high frame rate technology, so the action scenes look incredibly realistic.
  • Analysis: Shows the usage of the term in the context of film and cinematography.
• Example 6:
  • 你的显卡是什么？能支持这么高的帧率吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ de xiǎnkǎ shì shénme? Néng zhīchí zhème gāo de zhēnlǜ ma?
  • English: What's your graphics card? Can it support such a high frame rate?
  • Analysis: Connects `帧率` to the hardware that produces it, the `显卡` (xiǎnkǎ - graphics card).
• Example 7:
  • 大多数游戏主机会把帧率锁定在30或60 FPS。
  • Pinyin: Dàduōshù yóuxì zhǔjī huì bǎ zhēnlǜ suǒdìng zài sānshí huò liùshí FPS.
  • English: Most game consoles lock the frame rate at 30 or 60 FPS.
  • Analysis: Note the direct use of the English abbreviation “FPS,” which is very common in written and spoken Chinese in this context. “锁帧” (suǒzhēn) is the common verb for “locking the frame rate.”
• Example 8:
  • 玩射击游戏时，稳定的高帧率比高分辨率更重要。
  • Pinyin: Wán shèjī yóuxì shí, wěndìng de gāo zhēnlǜ bǐ gāo fēnbiànlǜ gèng zhòngyào.
  • English: When playing shooting games, a stable high frame rate is more important than a high resolution.
  • Analysis: This example compares `帧率` with another key technical term, `分辨率` (fēnbiànlǜ - resolution).
• Example 9:
  • 手机发热严重，导致帧率大幅下降。
  • Pinyin: Shǒujī fārè yánzhòng, dǎozhì zhēnlǜ dàfú xiàjiàng.
  • English: The phone is overheating badly, causing the frame rate to drop significantly.
  • Analysis: Explains a cause-and-effect relationship common in mobile gaming.
• Example 10:
  • 这个视频的帧率只有24，所以看起来有点卡。
  • Pinyin: Zhège shìpín de zhēnlǜ zhǐyǒu èrshísì, suǒyǐ kàn qǐlái yǒudiǎn kǎ.
  • English: This video's frame rate is only 24, so it looks a little choppy.
  • Analysis: Connects a low `帧率` to the feeling of `卡` (kǎ - laggy/choppy), a very common adjective for poor performance.

• Mistake: Confusing 帧率 (zhēnlǜ) with 刷新率 (shuāxīnlǜ).

This is the most common pitfall for learners and even native speakers who aren't tech-savvy. They are closely related but different.

• 帧率 (zhēnlǜ) - Frame Rate: The number of frames your computer's graphics card or game console is producing per second. This is a measure of the source.
• 刷新率 (shuāxīnlǜ) - Refresh Rate: The number of times your monitor or screen refreshes its image per second, measured in Hertz (Hz). This is a capability of the display.
• Why it matters: You can have a powerful PC producing 200 FPS (`帧率`), but if your monitor is only 60Hz (`刷新率`), you will only see 60 frames per second. They work together.
• Incorrect: 我的屏幕帧率是144赫兹。 (Wǒ de píngmù zhēnlǜ shì 144 hèzī.) → “My screen's frame rate is 144 Hz.”
• Correct: 我的显示器刷新率是144赫兹。 (Wǒ de xiǎnshìqì shuāxīnlǜ shì 144 hèzī.) → “My monitor's refresh rate is 144 Hz.”

• 刷新率 (shuāxīnlǜ): Refresh Rate. The capability of the display, often confused with `帧率`.
• 掉帧 (diàozhēn): To Drop Frames. The action of the frame rate suddenly decreasing, causing a stutter.
• 卡顿 (kǎdùn): To be laggy, to stutter. The feeling or result of a low or unstable `帧率`.
• 流畅 (liúchàng): Smooth, fluid. The desired adjective to describe the experience of a high `帧率`.
• 分辨率 (fēnbiànlǜ): Resolution. Another key technical spec for displays, referring to the number of pixels (e.g., 1080p, 4K).
• 显卡 (xiǎnkǎ): Graphics Card (GPU). The computer hardware component primarily responsible for generating the frames.
• 优化 (yōuhuà): Optimization. In gaming, this refers to how well the software is programmed to run efficiently and maintain a high `帧率`.
• FPS: The English abbreviation for “Frames Per Second” is used ubiquitously in Chinese tech and gaming circles, often more than the full term `帧率`.