Teihin

Teihin is a Japanese term that appears primarily in technical contexts as the on-reading for the kanji compound 低頻, meaning low frequency. In English-language technical writing, teihin is typically rendered as “low frequency.” The term is used to describe the portion of a signal, spectrum, or phenomenon that lies in the lower end of the frequency range, as opposed to high-frequency elements.

In usage, teihin frequently occurs in combination with other words to specify a frequency region or component. Common phrases include teihin-tai (低頻帯), the low-frequency band, and teihin-seibun (低頻成分), the low-frequency components of a signal. The concept is contrasted with high-frequency counterparts, such as kōhin (高頻, high frequency) or low-frequency terms like teihindo (低頻度), which describes the likelihood or frequency of occurrence at low frequencies.

Contexts where teihin is encountered include physics, electronics, signal processing, acoustics, and seismology. In these fields, distinguishing low-frequency content from higher-frequency content can be important for tasks such as filtering, spectrum analysis, noise reduction, and waveform interpretation. It is worth noting that in everyday Japanese, 低音 (teion) is more commonly used to refer to bass pitch, while 低頻 is specifically about frequency ranges rather than perceived pitch.

Because teihin is a technical term, it is rarely used outside specialized literature. When translating or cross-referencing, it is appropriate to render it as “low frequency” and to provide clarifications about the exact frequency range or context when necessary.