Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
播放 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
播放bōfàngto broadcastHSK 4, v, rank #4094, Medium
播放bōfàngto transmitHSK 4, v, rank #4094, Medium
bōfàng(bo1fang4) T1
  1. 1to broadcast
  2. 2to transmit
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
播放bōfàng(bo1fang4)

The verb '播放' means to broadcast or transmit audio and video content. It is commonly used in contexts such as television, radio, and online media, where content is made available to an audience. The nuance of this term implies a sense of active sharing or presentation of media.

Frequency#4094DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

In contemporary Chinese culture, '播放' is frequently associated with the rise of online streaming platforms like Tencent Video and iQIYI, reflecting the shift in how media is consumed in China.

Memory Tip

Imagine a 'bo' (which sounds like 'bowl') filled with 'fang' (like 'fangs' of a wolf) that is broadcasting howling sounds. Visualize the bowl (播) pouring out sound waves (放) into the air, transmitting audio to everyone around.

Meanings of 播放

bōfàng(bo1fang4)
1to broadcast
2to transmit
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 播放

播放Simplified
Strokes
Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4094Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3YCTL4HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 播放

JasonAmy

Podcast: 播放

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 播放

Quick Contrast

播放 (bōfàng) vs 播出 (bōchū) — use 播放 when emphasizing the act of playing or transmitting media, while 播出 focuses more on the act of broadcasting or airing content.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a 'bo' (which sounds like 'bowl') filled with 'fang' (like 'fangs' of a wolf) that is broadcasting howling sounds. Visualize the bowl (播) pouring out sound waves (放) into the air, transmitting audio to everyone around.

Usage Notes

A common mistake is confusing '播放' with '录制' (lùzhì), which means to record. Remember that '播放' refers to playing or broadcasting, while '录制' is about capturing. This term is generally informal, suitable for everyday conversation and media discussions.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 5 word, '播放' connects well with other media-related vocabulary, such as '节目' (jiémù, program) and '视频' (shìpín, video). Students should focus on using it in practical sentences about media consumption.

Cultural Note

In contemporary Chinese culture, '播放' is frequently associated with the rise of online streaming platforms like Tencent Video and iQIYI, reflecting the shift in how media is consumed in China.

Common Mistakes

Learners often use '播放' incorrectly with the wrong object, such as saying '播放书' (to play a book), which is incorrect. Instead, use '阅读' (yuèdú) for reading. The correct phrase for media content is '播放视频' (to play a video).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 播放

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 播放 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Component Characters

to sow
HSK 615 strokes
View full entry
fàngto release
HSK 38 strokes
View full entry

Write 播放

Practice writing 播放 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 播放

播放 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

下面再次为您____这首帕瓦罗蒂的标志性歌曲。

Here again is the song that Pavarotti has made his own.

Example Sentences for 播放 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
下面再次为您播放这首帕瓦罗蒂的标志性歌曲。

xià miàn zài cì wéi nín bō fàng zhè shǒu pà wǎ luó dì de biāo zhì xìng gē qū。

Here again is the song that Pavarotti has made his own.
2
同时,达斯蒂·斯普林菲尔德的电视剧新作开始在BBC1台播放。

tóng shí, , dá sī· dì · sī pǔ lín fēi ěr dé de diàn shì jù xīn zuò kāiBBC1 shǐ zài BBC1。

Meanwhile, Dusty Springfield's new TV series began a run on BBC
3
我不停地祈望唱片播放师能加快音乐的节奏。

wǒ bù tíng dì qí wàng chàng piàn bō fàng shī néng jiā kuài yīn lè de jié zòu。

I kept praying that the DJ would speed the music up.
4
他伸手拿过遥控器,按下“播放”键。

tā shēn shǒu ná guò yáo kòng qì, , àn“ xià “” bō。

He reached for the remote control and pressed the "play" button.
5
他又按下了播放键播放磁带。

tā yòu àn xià le bō fàng jiàn bō fàng cí dài。

He pushed the play button again and ran the tape.
6
周四晚上9点英国广播公司电视二台开始播放他的新连续剧。

zhōu sì wǎn shàng9 9 diǎn yīng guó guǎng bō gōng sī diàn shì èr tái kāi shǐ bō fàng tā de xīn lián xù。

He begins his new series on BBC 2 at 9pm on Thursday.
7
点唱机播放着一首探戈舞曲。

diǎn chàng jī bō fàng zháo yī shǒu tàn gē wǔ qū。

A tango was playing on the jukebox.
8
晚上11点过后,电视台停止播放节目.

wǎn shàng11 11 diǎn guò, hòu , diàn shì tái tíng zhǐ bō fàng.

Television closed down for the night after eleven o'clock.
9
她为他们倒上饮料,然后开大音量播放唱片。

tā wéi tā mén dǎo shàng yǐn liào, , rán hòu kāi dà yīn liáng bō fàng chàng。

She poured them drinks, and put a record on loud.
10
老电影是最廉价的播放素材。

lǎo diàn yǐng shì zuì lián jià de bō fàng sù cái。

Old movies were the cheapest broadcast fodder.

Cultural Notes for 播放

🏮Cultural insight

In contemporary Chinese culture, '播放' is frequently associated with the rise of online streaming platforms like Tencent Video and iQIYI, reflecting the shift in how media is consumed in China.

Frequently Asked Questions about 播放

Yes, '播放' can refer to both audio and video content.