播放

• Pinyin: bō fàng
• Hanzi breakdown: 播 = 扌(hand) + 番 (to take turns), meaning to broadcast; 放 = 方 (direction) + 攵 (tap/strike), meaning to release

Meaning

To play; to broadcast. Used for playing audio, video, or media content.

Refers to playing music, videos, films, or other media. More general than 播出, which is specifically for TV/radio transmission. 播放 can be used for personal devices, speakers, or media players as well as broadcasting.

Examples

1. 请播放下一首歌。 Please play the next song.
2. 这个视频已经被播放了一百万次。 This video has been played one million times.
3. 飞机上正在播放一部有趣的电影。 An interesting film is being played on the aeroplane.

Usage Guide

Context: music, media, technology, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你能帮我播放这首音乐吗？(Can you play this music for me?)
• 视频正在播放中，请稍等。(The video is playing, please wait.)

Don't Say

• 播放钢琴 (Don't use 播放 for playing a musical instrument — use 弹 for piano/guitar or 拉 for violin. 播放 is for playing recorded media)

Origin & History

Compound of 播 (to sow, broadcast) and 放 (to release, let go), literally 'to send out and release' media content.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal