播放列表
bōfàng lièbiǎo
The English phrase "playlist" is translated into Chinese as 播放列表 (bōfàng lièbiǎo).
播放列表 is the standard computing term for a playlist. In the specific context of music streaming services, you may encounter 动态歌单 to mean "dynamic playlist". If you want to emphasize the action of creating or producing a playlist, you can use the verb 制作.
Meaning: computing (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 播放列表 is composed of 播放 (bōfàng), meaning "to play" or "to broadcast" and 列表 (lièbiǎo), meaning "list".
Which one should you use?
While 播放列表 is the formal term, in the context of music streaming services, people more commonly use the informal term 歌单.
How do you pronounce it?
bōfàng lièbiǎo
Did you know?
- While 播放列表 is the technical term, the popular word for playlist 歌单 literally means 'song list'. In modern Chinese youth culture, sharing a 歌单 is often used as a subtle way to express romantic interest or emotional intimacy.
- In Chinese, the concept of a 'playlist' is often discussed using the term 宝藏 (treasure). A 'treasure playlist' (宝藏歌单) is a specific slang term for a hidden gem of a list containing unknown artists.
- The character 列 in 列表 (list) also appears in the word for 'train' (列车). Both words share the core idea of things arranged in a sequence or a line.
Examples in context
- 我创建了一个新的播放列表。I created a new playlist.
- 他的歌单非常受欢迎。His playlist is highly popular.
- 你能分享你的曲目单吗？Can you share your playlist?
- 我们之间互相交换歌曲清单吧！Let's exchange our playlists!
- 我在这个音乐平台上关注了一个动态歌单。I followed a dynamic playlist on this music platform.
- 我的播放列表里有很多歌。Wǒ de bōfàng lièbiǎo lǐ yǒu hěnduō gē.There are many songs in my playlist.
- 这个播放列表的节奏很快。Zhège bōfàng lièbiǎo de jiézòu hěn kuài.This playlist has a fast tempo.
Example conversation
Wei and Xiaowen are sharing music on their phones.
- 伟 Wei晓雯，看看我的新播放列表。Xiǎowén, kànkan wǒ de xīn bōfàng lièbiǎo.Xiaowen, check out my new playlist.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen里面都有哪些歌？Lǐmiàn dōu yǒu nǎxiē gē?Which songs are in it?
- 伟 Wei都是最近很流行的中文歌。Dōu shì zuìjìn hěn liúxíng de Zhōngwén gē.They are all popular Chinese songs lately.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen太棒了，快分享给我！Tài bàngle, kuài fēnxiǎng gěi wǒ!That's awesome, share it with me quickly!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “playlist” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
