'登录' (dēng lù) is a verb meaning 'to log in' — the action of entering credentials (like a username and password) to gain authorized access to a digital system, website, or app. The first character 登 (dēng) literally means 'to ascend' or 'to climb', evoking the idea of entering or accessing something elevated or secured; the second character 录 (lù) means 'to record' or 'to register', suggesting formal entry into a system's records. Together, they convey the dual idea of gaining entry and being officially registered within that space.

This term is used exclusively in digital and administrative contexts — never for physical entry (e.g., walking into a building). It’s standard in computing, online services, government portals, and corporate intranets. While often used as a standalone verb ('请登录'), it can also appear in compound forms like 登录系统 (dēng lù xìtǒng, 'log in to the system') or 登录账号 (dēng lù zhàng hào, 'log in to one’s account'). It carries a neutral, formal register and is appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese.