磁带
cí dài · HSK 7
magnetic tape
📼 磁 cí (magnetic) + 带 dài (belt/strip) = magnetic strip = tape
The word literally breaks down to magnetic belt. Think of a VHS or cassette — a long ribbon of magnetic material on a reel. Cí sounds like see, dài like dye: see the dye on the ribbon.
带 — belt/sash 巾 at bottom + ornaments above
带 originally pictured a belt or sash with hanging ornaments or pendants tied at the waist; the bottom 巾 (cloth) reinforces the textile meaning. From the literal 'belt' it extended to 'carry, bring along' (as a belt holds things) and to 'zone/region' (a strip of land).