As the Lunar New Year approaches on February 10, 2026, the Spring Festival Gala (Chunwan) prepares to captivate over 1 billion viewers worldwide. This cultural phenomenon not only entertains but shapes China's digital discourse through unique linguistic trends. Here are three essential terms to navigate this year's celebrations like a cultural insider:
1. 梗 Gěng – The Meme Machine
More than simple jokes, Geng represents shared cultural touchstones born from sketches and performances. Last year's viral catchphrase from comedian Jia Bing remains etched in public memory, demonstrating how these memes become social currency across Weibo and WeChat.
2. 出圈 Chūquān – Breaking the Circle
When a performance Chuquan, it transcends the screen to dominate real-world conversations. The 2025 robot dance that inspired TikTok challenges across Southeast Asia exemplifies this crossover appeal – a phenomenon experts predict will intensify in 2026's globally streamed broadcast.
3. 名场面 Míngchǎngmiàn – Iconic Legacy
These landmark moments define generations' New Year memories. From Fei Xiang's 1987 breakthrough to last year's AI-powered lion dance, Mingchangmian moments become cultural heritage, often referenced in subsequent Galas through clever callbacks.
As families worldwide prepare reunion dinners, understanding this vocabulary offers deeper insight into one of Asia's most watched cultural events. Whether you're analyzing soft power trends or connecting with diaspora communities, these terms provide keys to contemporary Chinese digital culture.
