As families worldwide prepare for Lunar New Year celebrations on February 17, understanding the cultural lexicon of China's Spring Festival Gala becomes key to appreciating this global phenomenon. With 2026 marking the Year of the Horse, we break down three essential terms that define the world's most-watched television event.
直播 (Zhibo) – The Unifying Power of Live Broadcast
The Gala's live format creates a synchronized cultural moment for 1.4 billion people, with families from the Chinese mainland to overseas communities sharing identical performances and emotional peaks in real time. This technical marvel requires months of precision planning to maintain flawless synchronization across multiple time zones.
零点 (Lingdian) – Midnight's Magical Countdown
The most pressure-filled moment comes as hosts coordinate their New Year's greetings with the exact strike of midnight. A 0.5-second deviation could mean missing this sacred temporal landmark that officially welcomes the Year of the Horse.
拜年 (Bainian) – Heartfelt Wishes for 2026
Beyond the spectacular performances, the Gala preserves the tradition of sincere blessings between generations. This year's recommended greeting "马年快乐" (Mǎ Nián Kuài Lè) carries particular significance as families worldwide celebrate equine symbolism representing perseverance and advancement.
