中国中央电视台
zhōng guó zhōng yāng diàn shì tái
In Chinese, the term for CCTV refers to China Central Television, represented by the default form 中国中央电视台 (zhōng guó zhōng yāng diàn shì tái).
While the full name is used for official purposes, the abbreviation 央视 is frequently used as both a noun and an adjective, such as in 央视新闻 (CCTV News).
Meaning: closed circuit television (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 中国中央电视台 is composed of 中国 (China), 中央 (central), 电视 (television) and 台 (station/platform).
Which one should you use?
中国中央电视台 is the full, formal name of the broadcaster, whereas 央视 is the standard shortened form used in almost all spoken contexts. Additionally, if you are referring to the technology of closed-circuit television rather than the broadcaster, the formal translation is 闭路电视.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
zhōng guó zhōng yāng diàn shì tái
Did you know?
- Because 央视 is so ubiquitous, it is often used as a shorthand for the state's official narrative or 'the official line' in political discussions.
- In Chinese pop culture, the phrase 央视春晚 refers to the CCTV New Year's Gala, an event so massive it is often cited as the most-watched television program in the world.
- The word 中央 (central) in the broadcaster's name is the same word used to describe the 'central government', reinforcing the station's official status.
Examples in context
- 我家装了监控，所以我很放心。My home has CCTV installed, so I feel reassured.
- 这是中国中央电视台的新闻。Zhè shì Zhōngguó Zhōngyāng Diànshìtái de xīnwén.This is news from CCTV.
Example conversation
Xiaowen and Haoran are talking about a TV show.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen浩然，你昨晚看那个节目了吗？Hàorán, nǐ zuówǎn kàn nàge jiémù le ma?Haoran, did you watch that program last night?
- 浩然 Haoran没看，那是哪个频道播的？Méi kàn, nà shì nǎge píndào bō de?No, which channel was it broadcast on?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是在中国中央电视台播的。Shì zài Zhōngguó Zhōngyāng Diànshìtái bō de.It was on CCTV.
- 浩然 Haoran我知道了，我现在就去回看。Wǒ zhīdào le, wǒ xiànzài jiù qù huíkàn.I see, I'll go watch the replay now.
