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磁带 — meaning in English: Magnetic tape

cídài · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for tape
磁带
cídài
灾难
zāinàn
目录
mùlù
完成
wánchéng
查询
cháxún
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neutral common
Usage
Native speakers use the word 磁带 (cídài) when discussing music formats, particularly in the context of vintage audio equipment or while reminiscing about the past. It's common in conversations about hobbies like collecting old cassette tapes or during discussions about media storage options.
Synonyms & nuances
A close synonym to 磁带 (cídài) is 磁盘 (cípán), which means 'disk.' While 磁带 (cídài) specifically refers to tape, 磁盘 (cípán) usually indicates a more rigid, disk-shaped medium. You would choose 磁带 when discussing cassette tapes or tape recorders, whereas 磁盘 is used in contexts related to computer disks.
Culture
The term 磁带 (cídài) not only refers to magnetic tape but also evokes nostalgia for the cassette era of the 1980s and 1990s when personal mixtapes were a beloved gift among friends. The word itself combines 磁 (cí), meaning 'magnetic,' and 带 (dài), meaning 'tape' or 'band,' highlighting the technology behind this once-revolutionary audio storage medium.
FAQ
Q.What is 磁带 (cídài) used for?
磁带 (cídài) is primarily used for recording and playing audio. It was a popular medium for music and voice recordings before digital formats became prevalent.
Q.How do you pronounce 磁带 (cídài)?
磁带 is pronounced as 'cídài,' where the 'cí' has a rising tone and 'dài' has a falling tone. Listening to native speakers can help you master the pronunciation.
Q.Are there any common mistakes when using 磁带 (cídài)?
One common mistake is confusing 磁带 (cídài) with 磁盘 (cípán). Remember that 磁带 specifically relates to magnetic tape, while 磁盘 refers to disk-shaped media.
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