配音 (pèi yīn) literally means 'to match sound' — 配 (pèi) means 'to match, pair, or coordinate', and 音 (yīn) means 'sound' or 'voice'. Together, they refer to the process of replacing original dialogue in a film, TV show, video game, or animation with new spoken lines in another language — commonly known as dubbing. This term is widely used in media production and everyday discussions about translated content.

The word emphasizes synchronization: the new voice must match the speaker’s lip movements, timing, and emotional tone. It’s frequently heard in contexts like movie theaters, streaming platforms, and voice-acting studios. While often associated with foreign-language translation, 配音 can also refer to adding voiceovers for narration, documentaries, or even AI-generated speech in educational apps. Unlike subtitles (字幕), which appear as text, 配音 replaces the audio entirely, making it essential for audiences who prefer or require full auditory immersion.