program; show
HSK level
节目 is written with 10 strokes (节: 5, 目: 5). The animation replays automatically.
节目 (jiémù) means 'program' or 'show' in a broad sense — a single act, episode, or scheduled performance.
It covers television shows (电视节目), radio shows (广播节目), variety shows (综艺节目), and individual numbers in a stage lineup (晚会节目, 'gala numbers'). The word is wide: a kid's piano performance at a school party is 一个节目, and so is a prime-time talk show. Two patterns help: first, 看节目 ('watch a program') is the everyday way to describe TV viewing; second, when listing items in a performance ('the next 节目 is...'
), 节目 refers to one act within a larger show. Unlike English 'show,' which can mean an exhibition or display, 节目 specifically refers to scheduled or curated content — something on a program list. For 'movie,' Chinese uses 电影 (diànyǐng), not 节目.
Note: Standard in everyday speech and writing. Covers TV shows, radio programs, podcasts, stage performances, and event lineups.
Character by character
Memory hook: 节 (segment) + 目 (item on a list) = a segmented item on a program — a show.
我喜欢看这个节目。
Wǒ xǐhuan kàn zhège jiémù.
I like watching this show.
spoken
今天晚上有什么节目？
Jīntiān wǎnshàng yǒu shénme jiémù?
What programs are on tonight?
spoken
这个电视节目很有意思。
Zhège diànshì jiémù hěn yǒu yìsi.
This TV program is very interesting.
neutral
下一个节目是唱歌。
Xià yīge jiémù shì chànggē.
The next act is singing.
neutral
电视剧 specifically means 'TV drama / TV series' — a scripted multi-episode show. 节目 is broader: any program on TV, radio, or stage, scripted or not.
演出 ('performance, show') focuses on live performance — a concert, a stage act. 节目 can be live or pre-recorded, and often refers to a single item or scheduled program rather than the whole event.
节日 (jiérì) means 'festival, holiday.' Both start with 节 but the second character differs — 目 (item) vs 日 (day). 节目 is a TV show; 节日 is a holiday like Spring Festival.
项目 ('project, item, event') is used for work projects or sporting events — 工程项目 (engineering project), 比赛项目 (sport event). 节目 is for shows and performances.
Acquire it by listening
Fluentide turns real news into Chinese listening at your exact level, so words like 节目 show up again and again in natural sentences — with pinyin and translation every time. No flashcards. Free to start.
