zhǔbō: 主播 - Streamer, Livestreamer, Anchor (News/Broadcast)

• Keywords: zhubo, 主播, Chinese streamer, Chinese livestreamer, internet celebrity China, Taobao livestreamer, Douyin anchor, Bilibili UP主, what is a zhubo, news anchor in Chinese, broadcast host.
• Summary: Discover the meaning of 主播 (zhǔbō), a crucial term in modern Chinese culture. Originally meaning “news anchor,” its definition has expanded to become the primary word for “livestreamer” or “streamer,” a central figure in China's massive digital economy. This page explores both the traditional and modern uses of 主播, from formal news broadcasting to the wildly popular world of e-commerce and gaming streamers on platforms like Douyin and Taobao. Learn how this single word captures a major cultural and economic phenomenon in contemporary China.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): zhǔbō
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 6
• Concise Definition: A host or presenter of a broadcast, covering both traditional news anchors and modern internet livestreamers.
• In a Nutshell: At its heart, 主播 (zhǔbō) refers to the main person guiding a live broadcast. This concept began with TV and radio news anchors. However, with the explosion of the internet in China, the term has been enthusiastically adopted to describe the millions of online personalities who stream content—from playing video games to reviewing products and selling goods live to massive audiences. The core idea is “one person broadcasting to many.”

• 主 (zhǔ): Meaning “master,” “host,” or “main.” It implies being in charge or the central figure. Think of the main character in a story (主角 zhǔjué) or the host of a party (主人 zhǔrén).
• 播 (bō): Meaning “to broadcast” or “to sow.” It evokes the image of spreading or transmitting something (like seeds or a signal) to a wide area. It's the same character used in “broadcast” (广播 guǎngbō).
• Together, 主播 (zhǔbō) literally translates to “main broadcaster” or “host who broadcasts,” a perfect description for someone who leads a live show, whether on television or online.

The term 主播 (zhǔbō) is more than just a job title; it's a window into modern Chinese society and its “livestreaming economy” (直播经济 zhíbō jīngjì). While the West has “influencers” and “streamers,” the Chinese 主播 often operates on a different scale and with a unique purpose, especially in e-commerce. In China, being a 主播 is a highly visible and aspirational career path. Top e-commerce streamers, like Li Jiaqi (李佳琦), are national celebrities who can sell hundreds of millions of dollars' worth of products in a single broadcast. This has deeply integrated livestreaming into the fabric of Chinese retail and consumer culture. Unlike a typical Western influencer who might post a sponsored ad, the 带货主播 (dàihuò zhǔbō), or “goods-carrying streamer,” engages in a live, interactive, and high-pressure sales event that blends entertainment with commerce. This role reflects the fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and highly digitized nature of modern China, where digital connection and consumerism are powerfully intertwined.

The meaning of 主播 is highly dependent on the context.

This is the original, more formal usage. It refers to a professionally trained journalist or host in traditional media.

• `新闻主播 (xīnwén zhǔbō)` - News anchor
• `电视主播 (diànshì zhǔbō)` - TV host/presenter
• `电台主播 (diàntái zhǔbō)` - Radio host

This is the most common usage today, referring to online content creators who broadcast live. It's usually informal.

• `游戏主播 (yóuxì zhǔbō)` - Game streamer (someone who streams themselves playing video games).
• `带货主播 (dàihuò zhǔbō)` - E-commerce streamer (someone who sells products live). This is a massive industry in China.
• `吃播主播 (chībō zhǔbō)` - “Mukbang” streamer (someone who streams themselves eating).
• `户外主播 (hùwài zhǔbō)` - Outdoor streamer (someone who streams their travels or outdoor activities).

• Example 1:
  • 她是中央电视台最受欢迎的主播之一。
  • Pinyin: Tā shì Zhōngyāng Diànshìtái zuì shòu huānyíng de zhǔbō zhīyī.
  • English: She is one of the most popular anchors on CCTV (China Central Television).
  • Analysis: This is the traditional, formal use of 主播, referring to a news anchor on the national broadcast network.
• Example 2:
  • 这个主播很会带货，他推荐的东西我都想买。
  • Pinyin: Zhège zhǔbō hěn huì dài huò, tā tuījiàn de dōngxi wǒ dōu xiǎng mǎi.
  • English: This streamer is great at selling things; I want to buy everything he recommends.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly illustrates the concept of a `带货主播` (dàihuò zhǔbō) and their influence on consumers.
• Example 3:
  • 我弟弟的梦想是成为一名游戏主播。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ dìdi de mèngxiǎng shì chéngwéi yī míng yóuxì zhǔbō.
  • English: My younger brother's dream is to become a game streamer.
  • Analysis: Shows how 主播 has become a modern career aspiration, particularly among younger generations.
• Example 4:
  • 你最喜欢的主播是谁？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ zuì xǐhuān de zhǔbō shì shéi?
  • English: Who is your favorite streamer?
  • Analysis: A common, casual question used among friends when discussing online content creators.
• Example 5:
  • 昨晚我给那个唱歌的主播打赏了。
  • Pinyin: Zuówǎn wǒ gěi nàge chànggē de zhǔbō dǎshǎng le.
  • English: Last night, I tipped the streamer who was singing.
  • Analysis: This sentence introduces the related concept of `打赏 (dǎshǎng)`, or tipping, a common way viewers support online 主播.
• Example 6:
  • 当主播看起来轻松，其实非常辛苦，每天要直播好几个小时。
  • Pinyin: Dāng zhǔbō kànqǐlái qīngsōng, qíshí fēicháng xīnkǔ, měitiān yào zhíbō hǎo jǐ gè xiǎoshí.
  • English: Being a streamer looks easy, but it's actually very hard work; they have to stream for several hours every day.
  • Analysis: This provides a realistic perspective on the profession. Note the use of `直播 (zhíbō)` as the verb “to livestream.”
• Example 7:
  • 那个有名的主播因为逃税被封号了。
  • Pinyin: Nàge yǒumíng de zhǔbō yīnwèi táoshuì bèi fēng hào le.
  • English: That famous streamer's account was banned because of tax evasion.
  • Analysis: Demonstrates a negative context, showing that 主播 are public figures subject to scrutiny and regulation.
• Example 8:
  • 他不只是个主播，他还有自己的公司。
  • Pinyin: Tā bùzhǐshì ge zhǔbō, tā hái yǒu zìjǐ de gōngsī.
  • English: He's not just a streamer; he also has his own company.
  • Analysis: Highlights how successful 主播 often become entrepreneurs, building brands and businesses around their online persona.
• Example 9:
  • 这位主播专门讲解历史故事，很有意思。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi zhǔbō zhuānmén jiǎngjiě lìshǐ gùshì, hěn yǒu yìsi.
  • English: This streamer specializes in explaining history stories; it's very interesting.
  • Analysis: Shows the diversity of content. A 主播 isn't just for selling or gaming; they can also be educators and storytellers.
• Example 10:
  • 你是哪种类型的主播？美食还是旅行？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì nǎ zhǒng lèixíng de zhǔbō? Měishí háishì lǚxíng?
  • English: What type of streamer are you? Food or travel?
  • Analysis: A question one might ask a 主播 directly, showing how the term is used to categorize different content niches.

• `主播 (zhǔbō)` vs. `主持人 (zhǔchírén)`: This is a common point of confusion.
  • 主播 (zhǔbō): Specifically for broadcasting (TV, radio, internet livestream). The core is the act of `播` (broadcasting). It almost always implies a live format.
  • 主持人 (zhǔchírén): A broader term for a host, MC, or presenter of *any* event. This can be a TV game show (pre-recorded), an awards ceremony, a wedding, or a conference.
  • Rule of thumb: If it's live and broadcast to an audience, 主播 is often the better word. If they are hosting an in-person event or a pre-recorded show, 主持人 is more appropriate. There is some overlap (a TV host can be both), but 主播 is more specific to broadcasting.
• Not Just an “Internet Streamer”: An English speaker might learn 主播 in the context of Douyin and assume it *only* means “internet streamer.” Remember its formal and original meaning of “news anchor.” The sentence “他是新闻主播” (He is a news anchor) is perfectly correct and common.
• False Friend: “Anchor”: While “news anchor” is a direct translation, the English word “anchor” by itself does not have the strong “internet celebrity” or “e-commerce salesperson” meaning that 主播 does in modern China. When a Chinese person says 主播, they are statistically more likely to be referring to an online streamer than a TV journalist.

• 直播 (zhíbō) - Livestream; the verb “to livestream.” This is the activity that a 主播 does.
• 网红 (wǎnghóng) - “Internet celebrity.” A broader term. A 主播 is a type of 网红, but not all 网红 are 主播 (e.g., a famous blogger who doesn't livestream).
• 主持人 (zhǔchírén) - Host, presenter, emcee. The related but distinct term explained in “Nuances” above.
• 粉丝 (fěnsī) - “Fans.” A phonetic loanword from English. 主播 rely on their 粉丝 for support.
• 带货 (dàihuò) - “To bring goods.” The specific verb for selling products during a livestream, a defining activity of many modern 主播.
• 打赏 (dǎshǎng) - “To tip” or “to donate.” How fans give money directly to a 主播 during a stream.
• 抖音 (Dǒuyīn) - Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. A massive platform for all types of 主播.
• B站 (B zhàn) - “Bilibili,” another major video-sharing platform where creators, known as UP主 (UP zhǔ), often also act as 主播.
• 弹幕 (dànmù) - “Bullet comments.” The iconic real-time comments that fly across the screen during a Chinese livestream, a key part of the interactive experience with a 主播.