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A2 noun #7,000 most common 8 min read

相册

xiangce Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 相册 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 相册 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '相册' (xiàngcè) means 'photo album.' You should learn it alongside basic nouns like '照片' (photo) and '家' (family). At this stage, you might use it in very simple sentences such as '这是我的相册' (This is my photo album) or '相册里有爸爸和妈妈' (There are Dad and Mom in the photo album). You should focus on recognizing the word when someone shows you pictures on their phone or in a book. It is a helpful word for introducing your family and friends to others. Remember that the measure word is '本' (běn) for a book-like album, though '个' (gè) is often accepted in casual digital contexts at this beginner level. The focus is on basic identification and possession.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use '相册' (xiàngcè) in more descriptive ways and understand its role in daily life. You can talk about what you do with an album, such as '看相册' (looking at an album) or '买相册' (buying an album). You should also start to distinguish between a physical album and a phone album ('手机相册'). You might describe the album's appearance, like '这本相册很漂亮' (This album is very pretty) or '那本相册很旧' (That album is very old). You are expected to use the correct measure word '本' (běn) consistently. You can also use it in the context of travel, such as '旅游相册' (travel album). This level focuses on using the word in simple past or present activities.

By B1, you should be comfortable using '相册' (xiàngcè) in more complex sentence structures, including those involving resultative complements or time durations. For example, '我把照片放进相册里了' (I put the photos into the album). You can discuss the process of organizing photos, using verbs like '整理' (zhěnglǐ - to organize) or '制作' (zhìzuò - to make/create). You should also understand the concept of digital storage and 'shared albums' (共享相册). At this level, you might use '相册' to talk about memories and nostalgia, expressing how looking through an album makes you feel. You can also handle social situations where someone asks for permission to see your photos: '我可以看你的相册吗？' (May I look at your album?).

At the B2 level, '相册' (xiàngcè) appears in more specialized and abstract contexts. You can discuss the aesthetic quality of a professional album or the technical aspects of digital photo management. You might use the word when talking about photography as a hobby, discussing '冲洗照片' (developing photos) and '排版相册' (laying out an album). You should be aware of synonyms like '影集' (yǐngjí) and when to use them for a more formal tone. You can also use '相册' metaphorically to describe a sequence of events or a 'collection' of experiences. Your vocabulary surrounding the word should expand to include terms like '云相册' (cloud album) and '隐私相册' (private/hidden album). You can discuss the cultural shift from physical to digital media.

At the C1 level, you use '相册' (xiàngcè) with nuance and stylistic flair. You can engage in deep conversations about the sociology of photography—how a '相册' represents a curated version of reality or a family's 'collective memory' (集体记忆). You might use the word in literary or academic contexts, perhaps analyzing how a specific '相册' serves as a historical record. You are expected to understand subtle differences between '相册', '写真集', and '画册' in professional publishing contexts. You can use complex grammatical structures to describe the emotional impact of an album, such as '翻开这本尘封已久的相册，往事历历在目' (Opening this long-dusty album, the past events reappear clearly before my eyes).

At the C2 level, '相册' (xiàngcè) is a tool for sophisticated expression. You can discuss the philosophy of the image and the 'archival nature' of the album. You might use the word in high-level professional settings, such as discussing the curation of a museum's 'photographic archives' (影像相册). You can use the word in complex metaphors, perhaps comparing the human mind or a historical era to a vast, multi-layered '相册'. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, incorporating idioms and literary references. You can debate the implications of AI-generated '相册' and the future of digital preservation. The word becomes a small part of a much larger, fluid command of the Chinese language's expressive capabilities.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

相册 in 30 Seconds

相册 (xiàngcè) means photo album, used for both physical books and digital phone galleries.
The measure word for a physical album is 本 (běn), while 个 (gè) is used for digital ones.
It is a compound of 'image' (相) and 'book/volume' (册), reflecting its function as a visual record.
Commonly used verbs with 相册 include 翻 (flip), 整理 (organize), and 保存 (save).

The Chinese term 相册 (xiàngcè) is a compound noun that translates directly to 'photo album' or 'picture album.' To understand its full depth, one must look at its constituent characters: 相 (xiàng), which refers to an image, appearance, or photograph (as in 照片 zhàopiàn), and 册 (cè), which signifies a book, volume, or a collection of records. Historically, 册 depicted bamboo slips tied together with thread, representing the earliest form of Chinese books. When combined, they describe a vessel for preserving visual memories. In modern Mandarin, 相册 is used universally to describe both the physical, tangible books found on coffee tables and the digital folders on smartphones or cloud storage services like iCloud or Baidu Netdisk.

Physical Context: In a traditional home setting, a 相册 is a cherished object. It is the physical manifestation of family history. People use this word when they are showing guests old family photos or when they are organizing printed snapshots from a recent trip. The measure word used for a physical album is usually 本 (běn).
Digital Context: In the age of smartphones, 相册 is the standard term for the 'Gallery' or 'Photos' app. When a Chinese speaker says 'Look at my album,' they are likely referring to their phone screen. Here, it can also refer to specific folders within the app, such as a 'Travel Album' or a 'Hidden Album.'

我想把这张照片存进我们的结婚相册里。(I want to save this photo into our wedding album.)

The cultural weight of 相册 cannot be understated. In Chinese society, where family ties (关系 guānxì) are paramount, the act of 'flipping through an album' (翻相册 fān xiàngcè) is a bonding activity. It evokes nostalgia (怀旧 huáijiù) and serves as a bridge between generations. Whether it is a grandmother showing a grandchild a black-and-white 相册 from the 1960s or a teenager creating a digital 'shared album' (共享相册 gòngxiǎng xiàngcè) for their friends, the word remains the primary vehicle for the concept of curated visual memory.

你的手机相册里有多少张照片？(How many photos are in your phone's album?)

Social Media Evolution: On platforms like WeChat (微信), the 'Moments' (朋友圈) section is often colloquially referred to as one's personal 相册. When you visit a friend's profile, the button to view their past posts is often labeled '朋友圈相册'. This highlights how the word has adapted to mean a chronological timeline of one's life events.

Using 相册 (xiàngcè) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the specific verbs that typically accompany it. Because it is a container, it often appears with locational particles like 里 (lǐ - inside) or 中 (zhōng - within). Furthermore, because it is a book-like object, it takes the measure word 本 (běn) for physical copies and 个 (gè) for digital ones.

Common Verb Pairings: 1. 翻阅 (fānyuè): To flip through/peruse. This is the most evocative verb for looking at an album.
2. 整理 (zhěnglǐ): To organize. Used when sorting photos into an album.
3. 冲洗 (chōngxǐ): To develop/print photos (usually followed by putting them in an album).
4. 备份 (bèifèn): To back up (specific to digital albums).

我花了整个下午的时间来整理那本旧相册。(I spent the whole afternoon organizing that old photo album.)

When discussing digital devices, 相册 is the destination for actions. If you want to say 'Save to album,' you use '保存到相册' (bǎocún dào xiàngcè). This is a phrase every Chinese learner will see on their smartphone interface. In a more formal or poetic sense, an album can be described as a 'collection of memories' (回忆的集锦), but 相册 remains the most direct and common term.

请把这些照片保存到你的手机相册里。(Please save these photos into your phone's photo album.)

Sentence Structure Patterns: Subject + Verb + (Measure Word) + 相册:
他买了一本相册。(He bought a photo album.)

Subject + 在 (zài) + 相册 + 里 + Verb:
我在相册里发现了一张老照片。(I found an old photo in the album.)

这本相册记录了我们孩子成长的每一个瞬间。(This photo album recorded every moment of our child's growth.)

You will encounter the word 相册 (xiàngcè) in a variety of everyday environments in China, ranging from high-tech digital interactions to intimate family moments. Understanding these contexts helps in grasping the word's versatility.

1. Digital Interfaces and Apps: Every smartphone sold in China, whether it uses iOS or Android, uses 相册 as the default label for the photo gallery. If you are helping a friend find a photo on their phone, you might say, '打开你的相册' (Open your album). In app development, '访问相册权限' (Permission to access the photo album) is a standard system prompt.
2. Photography Studios (影楼 Yǐnglóu): Wedding photography is a massive industry in China. When couples receive their final package, the centerpiece is usually one or several large, ornate 相册. Salespeople will discuss the 'quality of the album' (相册的质量) or the 'album style' (相册的风格) extensively.

这是我们去西藏旅游时专门制作的纪念相册。(This is a commemorative album we specially made when we traveled to Tibet.)

In social settings, the word often comes up when discussing nostalgia. During the Lunar New Year (春节), families often gather and '翻看旧相册' (look through old albums). It is a way to tell stories to the younger generation. You might hear an elder say, '去把那本厚相册拿来' (Go get that thick photo album).

我的百度网盘里有好几个备份相册。(I have several backup albums in my Baidu Netdisk.)

Furthermore, in the world of K-pop or C-pop fandoms in China, fans often create 'PB' (Photobooks), which are essentially high-end 相册 of their favorite idols. In this professional or commercial context, the word 写真集 (xiězhēnjí) is sometimes used, but 相册 remains the common term for personal or DIY collections.

For English speakers learning Chinese, the word 相册 (xiàngcè) is relatively straightforward, but there are nuanced errors that frequently occur regarding measure words, similar-sounding words, and conceptual overlaps.

1. Measure Word Confusion: English speakers often use '张' (zhāng) for everything related to photos. However, 张 is for flat objects like a single photo (一张照片). For a 相册, which is a book, you must use 本 (běn).
Incorrect: 一张相册 (One 'sheet' of album)
Correct: 一本相册 (One 'book' of album)
2. Confusing 'Photo' with 'Album': Sometimes learners say 'Look at my album' when they mean 'Look at this specific photo.' In Chinese, if you are showing one picture, say 看这张照片. If you want them to browse the whole collection, use 看我的相册.

别把我的相册弄乱了，我刚按时间顺序排好。(Don't mess up my album; I just arranged it chronologically.)

Another common mistake is confusing 相册 with 相机 (xiàngjī). Because they both start with 相 (xiàng), beginners often swap them. Remember: 机 (jī) means machine (camera), while 册 (cè) means book (album).

Lastly, be careful with the word 画册 (huàcè). While it also ends in 册, it refers to an art book or a book of paintings/drawings, not photographs. If you have a book of your own photography, 相册 is correct; if it's a book of Van Gogh's paintings, use 画册.

While 相册 (xiàngcè) is the most common term, several other words share its semantic space. Understanding the differences between them will make your Chinese sound more natural and precise.

1. 影集 (yǐngjí): Comparison: This is a more formal or slightly dated synonym for 相册. 影 refers to shadows/images, and 集 means collection. You might see this on the cover of a high-end photography book.
Usage: '这是一部珍贵的家庭影集' (This is a precious family photo collection).
2. 写真集 (xiězhēnjí): Comparison: This specifically refers to a 'photobook' of a person, usually a celebrity, model, or for a professional portrait session. It implies a high level of production and artistic 'realism' (写真 means 'portraying the truth').
Usage: '他买了一本偶像的写真集' (He bought a photobook of his idol).
3. 画册 (huàcè): Comparison: As mentioned before, this is for paintings, illustrations, or corporate brochures. It is not for personal photographs.
Usage: '公司印发了新的宣传画册' (The company printed a new promotional brochure/album).

虽然现在流行电子相册，但我还是喜欢纸质的影集。(Although electronic albums are popular now, I still prefer paper collections.)

In a digital context, you might also hear 图库 (túkù), which translates to 'Gallery' or 'Image Library.' This is more commonly used by developers or in technical support ('Check your system gallery'). For everyday users, 相册 remains the king of terms.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '册' is one of the few Chinese characters that still looks exactly like the object it represents: bamboo strips tied together.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ʃæŋ tsə/

US /ʃæŋ tsə/

The stress is equal on both syllables, but the tones (fourth and fourth/neutral) define the rhythm.

Rhymes With

册 (cè) rhymes with 特 (tè), 乐 (lè), 热 (rè), 策 (cè), 测 (cè), 设 (shè), 色 (sè), 客 (kè).

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'xi' as 'zi'.
Mispronouncing 'ce' as 'che' or 'se'.
Confusing the fourth tone of 'xiang' with the first tone.
Failing to distinguish 'ce' from 'ci'.
Pronouncing 'xiang' like 'zhyang'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are relatively simple and common.

Writing 3/5

Writing '册' requires correct stroke order for the middle parts.

Speaking 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward once tones are mastered.

Listening 2/5

Easily distinguishable in context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

照片书看家手机

Learn Next

摄影纪念整理备份冲洗

Advanced

影像叙事媒介数字化档案

Grammar to Know

Measure Words for Books (本)

我买了一本相册。

Locational Nouns (里)

照片在相册里。

Ba-Construction (把)

请把照片放进相册。

Attribute Particle (的)

这是精美的相册。

Resultative Complements (到)

保存到相册。

Examples by Level

这是我的相册。

This is my photo album.

Simple identification using '这是'.

相册里有照片。

There are photos in the album.

Using '里' to indicate location.

我看相册。

I look at the photo album.

Basic Subject-Verb-Object.

你的相册在哪儿？

Where is your photo album?

Question word '在哪儿'.

我有一本相册。

I have a photo album.

Using the measure word '本'.

相册很大。

The photo album is very big.

Adjective description with '很'.

这是爸爸的相册。

This is Dad's photo album.

Possessive '的'.

相册很漂亮。

The photo album is beautiful.

Adjective description.

我想买一本新相册。

I want to buy a new photo album.

Using '想' for desire.

他在手机相册里找照片。

He is looking for a photo in his phone album.

Specifying '手机相册'.

我们一起看这本旧相册吧。

Let's look at this old photo album together.

Suggestion particle '吧'.

我不喜欢那个相册的颜色。

I don't like the color of that photo album.

Negative '不喜欢'.

这张照片不在相册里。

This photo is not in the album.

Negative location '不在...里'.

你会做电子相册吗？

Can you make an electronic photo album?

Ability '会'.

相册里有很多我小时候的照片。

There are many photos of me when I was a child in the album.

Time phrase '小时候'.

请把相册给我。

Please give the photo album to me.

Polite request '请'.

我把去年旅游的照片都存进相册了。

I have saved all the photos from last year's trip into the album.

Ba-construction '把'.

这本相册记录了我们全家的幸福时光。

This photo album recorded the happy times of our whole family.

Abstract subject '记录'.

整理相册需要很多时间。

Organizing a photo album takes a lot of time.

Verb as a subject '整理'.

你可以把相册分享给我吗？

Can you share the photo album with me?

Sharing action '分享给'.

我的手机提示相册空间不足。

My phone is prompting that the photo album space is insufficient.

Technical term '空间不足'.

每当我难过时，我都会翻翻旧相册。

Whenever I am sad, I flip through old photo albums.

Conditional '每当...都'.

这本相册是我最好的生日礼物。

This photo album is my best birthday gift.

Superlative '最好的'.

他正在为他的毕业典礼制作相册。

He is making a photo album for his graduation ceremony.

Continuous action '正在'.

这个APP可以自动将照片分类到不同的相册中。

This app can automatically classify photos into different albums.

Adverb '自动' and resultative '分类到'.

他专门定制了一本相册来纪念去世的爷爷。

He specially customized a photo album to commemorate his late grandfather.

Purpose clause '来纪念'.

现在的年轻人更倾向于使用云相册而不是纸质相册。

Young people nowadays prefer using cloud albums instead of paper ones.

Preference '倾向于...而不是'.

相册的排版非常精美，每一页都像艺术品。

The layout of the album is very exquisite; every page is like a piece of art.

Simile '像...一样'.

为了保护隐私，她给手机相册设置了密码。

To protect her privacy, she set a password for her phone's photo album.

Purpose '为了'.

这本相册里充满了我们童年的回忆。

This photo album is full of our childhood memories.

State '充满了'.

由于系统错误，我相册里的照片全部丢失了。

Due to a system error, all the photos in my album were lost.

Cause '由于'.

他在相册的封面上写下了几个大字。

He wrote a few large characters on the cover of the photo album.

Location '在...上'.

这本相册不仅是影像的堆砌，更是情感的寄托。

This photo album is not just a pile of images, but a repository of emotions.

Correlative '不仅是...更是'.

历史学家通过研究这些私人相册来还原当年的生活场景。

Historians restore the life scenes of those years by studying these private photo albums.

Means '通过...来'.

他那本尘封已久的相册见证了城市半个世纪的变迁。

His long-dusty photo album witnessed the changes of the city over half a century.

Personification '见证'.

共享相册的功能极大地便利了亲友间的互动。

The function of shared albums has greatly facilitated interaction between relatives and friends.

Adverbial '极大地'.

这张照片在相册中显得格外突兀，似乎不属于这里。

This photo looks particularly out of place in the album, as if it doesn't belong here.

Stative verb '显得' and '格外'.

她小心翼翼地翻阅着那本脆弱的相册，生怕弄坏了它。

She carefully flipped through that fragile album, for fear of breaking it.

Idiom '小心翼翼' and '生怕'.

在数字化浪潮中，纸质相册反而获得了一种仪式感。

In the wave of digitalization, paper photo albums have instead gained a sense of ritual.

Contrast '反而'.

他的作品集更像是一本宏大的社会相册。

His portfolio is more like a grand social photo album.

Metaphorical usage.

这本相册构筑了一个关于家族兴衰的宏大叙事。

This photo album constructs a grand narrative about the rise and fall of the family.

Sophisticated verb '构筑'.

影像的碎片在相册的框架下被赋予了逻辑与灵魂。

Fragments of images are endowed with logic and soul under the framework of the album.

Passive voice '被赋予'.

他试图通过这本相册探讨摄影作为记忆媒介的局限性。

He attempts to explore the limitations of photography as a medium of memory through this album.

Abstract concept '局限性'.

相册的编排手法体现了创作者极高的审美造诣。

The arrangement technique of the album reflects the creator's extremely high aesthetic attainment.

Formal term '造诣'.

在这个信息碎片化的时代，一本相册提供了一种难得的连贯性。

In this era of fragmented information, a photo album provides a rare sense of continuity.

Contextual contrast.

这些相册成为了研究二十世纪社会史不可或缺的文献资料。

These photo albums have become indispensable documentary materials for studying 20th-century social history.

Formal phrase '不可或缺'.

每一本相册都是对流逝时间的某种程度上的挽留。

Every photo album is, to some extent, a retention of passing time.

Philosophical expression.

他将一生的漂泊都浓缩进了这几本厚重的相册中。

He condensed a lifetime of wandering into these few heavy photo albums.

Verb '浓缩'.

Common Collocations

翻阅相册

手机相册

家庭相册

制作相册

整理相册

云相册

共享相册

相册封面

毕业相册

加密相册

Common Phrases

保存到相册

— To save an image to the phone's gallery. This is seen in almost every app.

长按图片可以保存到相册。

翻看相册

— To look through or browse a photo album. Implies a casual or nostalgic action.

我们晚饭后一起翻看相册吧。

新建相册

— To create a new album folder. Common in digital photo management.

我在电脑上新建了一个相册。

打开相册

— To open the photo album app or a physical book.

请打开相册让我看看你的猫。

相册权限

— Photo album access permission. Common in smartphone settings.

这个应用需要访问你的相册权限。

回忆相册

— An album dedicated to memories. Often used as a title for a gift.

这是一本充满爱心的回忆相册。

宝宝相册

— A baby photo album. A very popular product in China.

我每天都会更新宝宝相册。

旅游相册

— A travel photo album. Used to collect photos from a specific trip.

这是我去日本旅游的相册。

婚庆相册

— A wedding album. Usually large and professionally made.

婚庆相册终于冲洗好了。

朋友圈相册

— The collection of photos a user has posted on WeChat Moments.

你可以去翻翻他的朋友圈相册。

Often Confused With

相册 vs 相机

Xiangji is the camera (the tool); Xiangce is the album (the storage).

相册 vs 画册

Huace is for paintings and drawings; Xiangce is for photographs.

相册 vs 专辑

Zhuanji is for music albums; Xiangce is for photo albums.

Idioms & Expressions

"历历在目"

— To remain vivid in one's mind. Often used when looking at a 相册.

翻开相册，当年的情景历历在目。

Literary

"记忆犹新"

— To have a fresh memory of something. Often prompted by a 相册.

看着相册里的照片，我对那次旅行记忆犹新。

Neutral

"如烟往事"

— Past events that have vanished like smoke. Often used in contrast to a 相册.

相册留住了那些如烟往事。

Poetic

"纸短情长"

— The paper is short but the affection is long. Often written in a gift 相册.

相册虽小，却是纸短情长。

Literary

"岁月留声"

— Time leaves a voice/record. Often used as a title for a 相册.

这本相册的主题是‘岁月留声’。

Poetic

"光阴荏苒"

— Time flies. A common opening line when presenting an old 相册.

光阴荏苒，这本相册已经二十年了。

Formal

"物是人非"

— Things remain the same but people have changed. A common feeling when looking at old 相册.

看着相册里的老房子，真有种物是人非的感觉。

Literary

"爱不释手"

— To love something so much one cannot put it down. Used for a beautiful 相册.

她对这本新相册爱不释手。

Neutral

"情同手足"

— As close as brothers. Used to describe people in a friendship 相册.

相册里都是我们情同手足的兄弟。

Neutral

"锦上添花"

— To add flowers to brocade (to make something better). A beautiful 相册 makes memories better.

精美的排版为这本相册锦上添花。

Neutral

Easily Confused

相册 vs 影集

Both mean photo album.

Yingji is more formal and often refers to a professionally published or very high-quality collection.

他在书店买了一本著名的影集。

相册 vs 写真集

Both involve photos in a book.

Xiezhenji specifically refers to a portfolio of a person (model/celebrity).

这本写真集拍得很美。

相册 vs 图库

Both refer to collections of images.

Tuku is a digital term for 'Image Library' or 'Gallery' in a technical sense.

系统图库里没有照片。

相册 vs 册子

Both are types of books.

Cezi is a general term for a booklet or pamphlet.

请拿一份宣传册子。

相册 vs 照片

Sentence Patterns

这是 + (Possessive) + 相册。

这是我的相册。

相册里有 + (Noun)。

相册里有很多人。

把 + (Noun) + 存进相册。

把照片存进相册。

(Subject) + 正在 + 整理相册。

她正在整理相册。

这本相册 + 见证了 + (Historical Event)。

这本相册见证了家族的兴衰。

相册 + 作为 + (Abstract Concept) + 的体现。

相册作为集体记忆的体现。

用 + (Tool) + 制作相册。

用电脑制作相册。

给 + (Person) + 看相册。

给我看相册。

Word Family

Nouns

照片 (photo)

相机 (camera)

摄影 (photography)

底片 (negative)

相框 (photo frame)

Verbs

照相 (to take a photo)

冲洗 (to develop)

保存 (to save)

整理 (to organize)

Adjectives

精美的 (exquisite)

厚重的 (heavy/thick)

珍贵的 (precious)

影集

写真集

画册

纪念册

作品集

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in daily life and technology.

Common Mistakes

Using 张 as a measure word. → Using 本.
张 is for single sheets; 本 is for books/albums.
Confusing 相册 with 相机. → Using 相册 for the book and 相机 for the camera.
They share the first character but have different functions.
Using 相册 for music albums. → Using 专辑.
Xiangce is strictly for photos; Zhuanji is for music.
Saying '看相册' when showing one photo. → Saying '看照片'.
An album is a collection, not a single image.
Mispronouncing 册 as 'che'. → Pronouncing it as 'ce'.
The 'c' in pinyin is a 'ts' sound, not a 'ch' sound.

Tips

Measure Word Mastery

Always use '本' (běn) for physical albums. It makes your Chinese sound much more authentic than using '个' (gè).

Digital vs. Physical

Use '手机相册' for your phone and '纸质相册' for paper ones to avoid confusion.

Gifting Etiquette

A handmade 相册 is a very touching and appropriate gift for Chinese friends on special occasions.

Natural Verbs

Instead of just '看' (look), use '翻' (flip) or '整理' (organize) to describe your interaction with an album.

App Navigation

Look for the characters '相册' whenever you want to upload or view photos in a Chinese app.

Character Visualization

The character 册 (cè) looks like a row of photos sitting on a shelf. Use this to remember its meaning.

Stroke Order

Pay attention to the stroke order of 册; it starts from the left and moves right, ending with the bottom bar.

Shared Memories

The term '共享相册' (Shared Album) is very common now for group trips or family events.

Tone Accuracy

Both syllables are 4th tone (falling). If you say them with a rising tone, people might get confused.

Formal Synonyms

Use '影集' in your essays or presentations to demonstrate a higher level of vocabulary.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Xiang' as 'Showing' and 'Ce' as 'Collection'. A 'Showing Collection' is a photo album.

Visual Association

Visualize the character 册 (cè) as the vertical slots in a photo album where you slide the pictures in.

Word Web

照片回忆家庭手机云端冲洗精美历史

Challenge

Try to find the '相册' icon on your phone and say the word aloud three times.

Word Origin

The word is a modern compound. '相' (xiàng) evolved from meaning 'to look at' to 'appearance' and then 'photograph.' '册' (cè) is an ancient pictograph of bamboo slips.

Original meaning: A book of portraits or appearances.

Sino-Tibetan (Sinitic).

Cultural Context

Be respectful when asking to see someone's 相册, as it may contain private or sensitive family photos.

In English, we might say 'Gallery' for phones, but in Chinese, the word for a physical book and the app is identical.

The movie 'Shower' (洗澡) features nostalgic themes involving old photos. The song 'Time Flies' (时间都去哪儿了) evokes the feeling of looking through a family 相册. Popular reality shows often show celebrities looking at their 'Childhood 相册'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At Home

拿相册出来
翻看旧相册
整理家庭相册
这是我的相册

Using a Phone

打开手机相册
保存到相册
相册权限
云相册备份

At a Wedding

看婚纱相册
精美的相册
制作纪念相册
挑选照片做相册

Graduation

毕业相册
全班合影相册
在相册上签名
留作纪念的相册

Tech Support

相册打不开
恢复相册照片
清理相册空间
相册同步失败

Conversation Starters

"我可以看一下你的手机相册吗？ (Can I take a look at your phone's photo album?)"

"你家里有旧相册吗？ (Do you have old photo albums at home?)"

"你喜欢纸质相册还是电子相册？ (Do you like paper albums or electronic albums?)"

"你通常怎么整理你的相册？ (How do you usually organize your albums?)"

"这本相册里的照片是在哪儿拍的？ (Where were the photos in this album taken?)"

Journal Prompts

今天我整理了旧相册，发现了很多有趣的回忆... (Today I organized old photo albums and found many interesting memories...)

如果我的相册只能保留三张照片，我会选择... (If my album could only keep three photos, I would choose...)

纸质相册和电子相册的区别在于... (The difference between paper and electronic albums is...)

我最喜欢的相册是那一本，因为... (My favorite album is that one because...)

我想为我的未来制作一本什么样的相册？ (What kind of album do I want to make for my future?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

The standard measure word is 本 (běn), which is used for books. In casual digital contexts, people sometimes use 个 (gè).

No, for music albums, you must use 专辑 (zhuānjí). 相册 is strictly for visual photos.

Yes, if your iPhone language is set to Chinese, the 'Photos' app is labeled '相册'.

相册 is the everyday word. 影集 is more formal, often used for artistic or historical photography collections.

You say '保存到相册' (bǎocún dào xiàngcè). This is a very common phrase in mobile apps.

It is one compound word: 相册 (xiàngcè).

Yes, it is often called 云相册 (yún xiàngcè) or simply 相册 within the cloud app.

You can say 婚纱相册 (hūnshā xiàngcè) or 结婚相册 (jiéhūn xiàngcè).

It means to flip through or browse a photo album, often implying a nostalgic look.

It has 5 strokes. The key is to draw the two 'windows' first and then the bottom horizontal line.