听众

• Pinyin: tīng zhòng
• Hanzi breakdown: 听 = 口 (mouth) + 斤 (phonetic); 众 = three 人 (person) stacked, meaning many people

Meaning

Audience; listeners. People who listen to a speech, broadcast, concert, or other audio performance.

Specifically refers to an audience that listens, as opposed to 观众 (viewers/spectators who watch). Used for radio audiences, concert-goers, lecture attendees, and podcast listeners. A common word in media and public speaking contexts.

Examples

1. 今天的演讲吸引了很多听众。 Today's speech attracted a large audience.
2. 这个电台节目有几百万听众。 This radio programme has millions of listeners.
3. 听众们热烈地鼓掌。 The audience applauded enthusiastically.

Usage Guide

Context: media, events, public speaking

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 听众对这场音乐会非常满意。(The audience was very satisfied with the concert.)
• 请听众朋友们注意。(Attention, dear listeners.)

Don't Say

• 电影院里有很多听众。(Don't use 听众 for movie audiences — use 观众 instead. 听众 is for listening, 观众 is for watching.)

Origin & History

听 (to listen) + 众 (crowd/masses). Literally 'the listening crowd', denoting a group of people gathered to listen.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal