With the 2026 Spring Festival Gala approaching on February 17, CGTN's Guo Meiping reveals three Mandarin phrases to elevate your viewing experience. Whether you're connecting with family or curious about Chinese traditions, these terms will help you celebrate the Year of the Horse like a cultural insider! 🎇
1. 直播 (Zhibo) – Live Broadcast
Imagine Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour energy… but for 1.4 billion people! 🌏 The Gala’s zhibo format means no edits or pauses – families nationwide share every laugh, dance move, and meme-worthy moment simultaneously. It’s reality TV meets cultural glue!
2. 零点 (Lingdian) – Midnight Magic
The Gala’s ultimate mic-drop moment! 🕛 Hosts count down to lingdian with split-second precision as fireworks erupt nationwide. Pro tip: Watch for the subtle panic if their script drifts even 0.1 seconds off – it’s like watching a tightrope walker juggle dumplings! 🥟
3. 拜年 (Bainian) – Heartfelt Greetings
Forget “Happy New Year” texts – bainian is all about personalized blessings. 💌 This year, drop a 马年快乐! (Mǎ nián kuài lè!) to friends – it’s the perfect Year of the Horse greeting that shows you’ve done your homework! 🐴
Produced by Han Xu | Graphics: Huang Ruiqi, Yu Peng
