‘专辑’ (zhuān jí) is a noun meaning 'special album'—most commonly referring to a curated collection of music tracks released together by one artist or group, such as a studio album or compilation. The character 专 (zhuān) means 'special', 'exclusive', or 'dedicated', while 辑 (jí) means 'volume', 'compilation', or 'collection', often used in publishing and media contexts. Together, they emphasize intentional curation and thematic or artistic unity.

Though most frequent in music, 专辑 also appears in literature (e.g., a special issue of a journal), photography (a themed photo book), or even documentary series. It carries a formal, professional tone—not used for casual playlists or homemade collections. Unlike the more general 集 (jí), which can mean any 'set' or 'volume', 专辑 implies deliberate selection and cohesive presentation, often with production value and official release status.