频率
pínlù · HSK 7
frequency
📈 频率 = 频 (frequent, repeated) + 率 (rate); a frequent-rate, i.e. how often
频 carries the sense of repeated/frequent occurrence, while 率 means rate or ratio. Put together they name the rate at which something repeats — its frequency or periodicity.
率 — twisted silk threads with droplets, plus 十
率 originally pictured a net or twisted bundle of silk cords with water droplets shaking off, suggesting something being led or pulled along. From 'leading a rope' it extended to 'lead, command' (shuài) and to 'rate, ratio' (lǜ), as in a fixed proportion. The two readings share this core image of a guiding measure.