====== diǎn gē: 点歌 - To Request a Song, Song Dedication ======
===== Quick Summary =====
  * **Keywords:** diange, dian ge, 点歌, how to request a song in Chinese, KTV Chinese term, song dedication in Chinese, dian ge meaning, Chinese karaoke, 点歌 in English, karaoke vocabulary
  * **Summary:** Learn the essential Chinese term **点歌 (diǎn gē)**, which means "to request a song" or "dedicate a song." This is a fundamental phrase for anyone wanting to experience a cornerstone of modern Chinese social life: KTV (karaoke). This guide breaks down its meaning, cultural significance at karaoke bars and on live streams, and provides numerous practical examples to help you sing your heart out with friends in China.
===== Core Meaning =====
  * **Pinyin (with tone marks):** diǎn gē
  * **Part of Speech:** Verb-Object Phrase (often functions as a single verb)
  * **HSK Level:** N/A (but essential for daily social life)
  * **Concise Definition:** To select or request a song to be played or sung.
  * **In a Nutshell:** **点歌 (diǎn gē)** is the action of choosing a song from a list, typically for someone to sing or for it to be played. Think of the verb **点 (diǎn)** as meaning "to select from a menu," just like you would **点菜 (diǎn cài)**, "to order food." And **歌 (gē)** simply means "song." Put them together, and you get the ubiquitous phrase for requesting a song at KTV, from a live band, or on a radio show.
===== Character Breakdown =====
  * **点 (diǎn):** This character's original meaning is a "dot" or a "point." As a verb, it extends to the action of "pointing at" something to choose it. This is why it's the standard verb for ordering things from a list, whether it's food (`点菜`), a delivery (`点外卖`), or in this case, a song.
  * **歌 (gē):** This character means "song" or "to sing." It's composed of two parts: the right side `欠` (qiàn) depicts a person with an open mouth (as in yawning or singing), and the left side `哥` (gē) primarily provides the phonetic sound.
  * **Together:** The meaning is very literal and intuitive: "to select (点) a song (歌)."
===== Cultural Context and Significance =====
**点歌 (diǎn gē)** is more than just a functional phrase; it's the key that unlocks major social activities in Chinese culture.
  * **The Heart of KTV Culture:** KTV (Karaoke) is arguably one of the most popular forms of social entertainment in China. It's where friends gather, colleagues bond after work, and families celebrate. The entire activity revolves around **点歌**. The process of browsing the songbook, choosing songs for yourself, and especially choosing songs you think a friend would love to sing, is a core part of the bonding experience. Unlike requesting a song from a DJ in a public Western bar, KTV is a private group event where everyone is an active participant, and **点歌** is the primary way to participate.
  * **From Radio Romance to Digital Gifting:** In the past, **点歌** was famously associated with calling into a radio station to dedicate a song to a loved one—a romantic and heartfelt gesture. This tradition has evolved and found a new, massive stage in the world of Chinese live streaming (直播, zhíbō). Viewers can **点歌** for their favorite streamers to perform, often by sending virtual gifts. This has transformed **点歌** into a form of direct audience interaction and a key part of the digital economy for online performers.
===== Practical Usage in Modern China =====
**点歌** is used in several common entertainment contexts, almost always informally among friends and peers.
  * **At KTV (Karaoke):** This is the most common use. You'll use a remote control, a touch screen, or an app on your phone to browse and select songs.
    * Example: “快，轮到你了，去**点歌**吧！” (Kuài, lún dào nǐ le, qù diǎn gē ba! - Quick, it's your turn, go request a song!)
  * **In Live Streams (直播):** Viewers type in comments to request songs or, more commonly, pay for a song request.
    * Example: Streamers often have a list of prices: “付费**点歌**” (fùfèi diǎn gē - Pay to request a song).
  * **At Bars/Venues with Live Music:** If there's a live band or a pianist, you can walk up and politely **点歌**.
    * Example: “你好，请问这里可以**点歌**吗？” (Nǐ hǎo, qǐngwèn zhèlǐ kěyǐ diǎn gē ma? - Hello, can one request songs here?)
===== Example Sentences =====
  * **Example 1:**
    * 你想**点**什么**歌**？
    * Pinyin: Nǐ xiǎng **diǎn** shénme **gē**?
    * English: What song do you want to request?
    * Analysis: This is a classic example of how **点歌** can be separated. The object "what song" (什么歌) is placed between the verb **点** and the object-noun **歌**. This is a very common structure.
  * **Example 2:**
    * 我来**点**一首周杰伦的**歌**。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ lái **diǎn** yī shǒu Zhōu Jiélún de **gē**.
    * English: Let me request a song by Jay Chou.
    * Analysis: Here, `一首 (yī shǒu)` is the measure word for songs. Again, it's placed between **点** and **歌**. `来 (lái)` is used informally to mean "let me do it."
  * **Example 3:**
    * 我帮你**点歌**吧，你想唱谁的？
    * Pinyin: Wǒ bāng nǐ **diǎn gē** ba, nǐ xiǎng chàng shéi de?
    * English: I'll help you request a song, whose do you want to sing?
    * Analysis: Here, **点歌** is used as a single unit. This sentence is very typical of the friendly, helpful atmosphere at a KTV.
  * **Example 4:**
    * 我想**点**这首**歌**送给我的朋友。
    * Pinyin: Wǒ xiǎng **diǎn** zhè shǒu **gē** sòng gěi wǒ de péngyǒu.
    * English: I want to dedicate this song to my friend.
    * Analysis: This shows the "dedication" aspect of **点歌**. The phrase `送给 (sòng gěi)` means "to give to as a gift."
  * **Example 5:**
    * 这个KTV的**点歌**系统非常先进。
    * Pinyin: Zhège KTV de **diǎn gē** xìtǒng fēicháng xiānjìn.
    * English: This KTV's song request system is very advanced.
    * Analysis: **点歌** can also be used as an adjective to describe something related to the action, like the **点歌系统** (song request system).
  * **Example 6:**
    * 别着急，你**点**的**歌**马上就到了。
    * Pinyin: Bié zhāojí, nǐ **diǎn** de **gē** mǎshàng jiù dào le.
    * English: Don't worry, the song you requested is up next.
    * Analysis: This shows a past action. `你点的歌` literally means "the song you requested." The `的 (de)` connects the noun `歌` with the action that modified it.
  * **Example 7:**
    * 他是麦霸，已经连续**点**了十首**歌**。
    * Pinyin: Tā shì màibà, yǐjīng liánxù **diǎn** le shí shǒu **gē**.
    * English: He's a microphone hog; he's already requested ten songs in a row.
    * Analysis: A culturally rich sentence. It introduces the concept of `麦霸 (màibà)`, the person who dominates the microphone at KTV.
  * **Example 8:**
    * 今晚大家随便**点歌**，我请客！
    * Pinyin: Jīnwǎn dàjiā suíbiàn **diǎn gē**, wǒ qǐngkè!
    * English: Everyone, feel free to request whatever songs you want tonight, my treat!
    * Analysis: `随便 (suíbiàn)` means "casually" or "as one pleases," perfectly capturing the relaxed and generous atmosphere of a KTV outing.
  * **Example 9:**
    * 你可以用手机扫码**点歌**，很方便。
    * Pinyin: Nǐ kěyǐ yòng shǒujī sǎo mǎ **diǎn gē**, hěn fāngbiàn.
    * English: You can use your phone to scan the QR code to request songs; it's very convenient.
    * Analysis: This reflects modern KTV technology, where physical songbooks are often replaced by QR codes and mobile apps.
  * **Example 10:**
    * 我不太会用这个遥控器，你能教我怎么**点歌**吗？
    * Pinyin: Wǒ bù tài huì yòng zhège yáokòngqì, nǐ néng jiāo wǒ zěnme **diǎn gē** ma?
    * English: I'm not very good at using this remote control, can you teach me how to request songs?
    * Analysis: A perfect and practical question for any beginner going to KTV for the first time.
===== Nuances and Common Mistakes =====
  * **Mistake 1: Treating it like a single verb.**
    * A common mistake for English speakers is to forget that **点歌** is a verb-object phrase. You cannot say `*我点歌一首` (`Wǒ diǎn gē yī shǒu`). The number and measure word must go in the middle.
    * **Incorrect:** 我**点歌**一首。
    * **Correct:** 我**点**一首**歌**。 (Wǒ diǎn yī shǒu gē.)
  * **Mistake 2: Using overly formal words.**
    * Do not use a formal word like `请求 (qǐngqiú)` which means "to formally request" or "to petition." Saying `我请求一首歌` (Wǒ qǐngqiú yī shǒu gē) at a KTV would sound incredibly strange and out of place. **点歌** is the natural and correct term for this informal, fun context.
  * **Nuance: `点` vs. `选 (xuǎn)`**
    * `选 (xuǎn)` means "to choose" or "to select." While you could say `选一首歌 (xuǎn yī shǒu gē)`, it's more general. You might use `选` when choosing a song to listen to by yourself on Spotify. **点歌** specifically implies an interactive context: you are requesting it from a system or a performer for it to be played for a group. In a KTV or live music setting, **点歌** is always the more idiomatic choice.
===== Related Terms and Concepts =====
  * [[KTV]] (KTV) - The most common place to **点歌**. An abbreviation for Karaoke Television.
  * [[唱歌]] (chàng gē) - To sing a song. This is the action that usually follows **点歌**.
  * [[点菜]] (diǎn cài) - To order food. A perfect parallel concept that helps you understand the usage of the verb `点`.
  * [[麦霸]] (màibà) - Lit. "microphone hegemon/tyrant." A slang term for someone who hogs the microphone at KTV and doesn't give others a chance to sing.
  * [[切歌]] (qiē gē) - To cut/skip a song. The action of stopping a song midway through to move to the next one in the queue. The opposite of enjoying a requested song!
  * [[歌手]] (gēshǒu) - Singer; vocalist. The artist whose song you are requesting.
  * [[直播]] (zhíbō) - Live stream. The modern digital venue where **点歌** is a primary form of audience interaction.
  * [[主播]] (zhǔbō) - A live streamer or online host. The person you might **点歌** from during a live stream.
  * [[卡拉OK]] (kǎlā'ōukèi) - The full, original loanword for "Karaoke," though "KTV" is far more common in mainland China.