Karaoke in China isn't just about singing; it's a social event where friends bond, special moments are celebrated, and even business meetings happen.
Whether you're a karaoke pro or a first-timer, this guide will help you navigate the world of Chinese KTV 🎤
The Guide to Doing
Karaoke in China
Karaoke is a beloved pastime activity where people sing along to music videos in private rooms.
In China, everyone refers to karaoke as KTV (pronounced "kay-teeh-weeh"). You'll often hear friends ask:
去KTV吗？
Qù KTV ma?
Let's go to karaoke?
1
Dazhong Dianping
01. Room Size
小包 (xiǎo bāo) - small room (1-5 guests) 中包 (zhōng bāo) - medium room (5-10 guests) 大包 (dà bāo) - large room (10-20 guests) 豪华包 (háohuá bāo) - deluxe room (20+ guests)
duration of stay
package deals
Here are a few ways of searching for songs:
搜索 (sōusuǒ) · use the search function;
分类 (fēnlèi) · browse through the categories;
歌手 (gēshǒu) · browse through the singers;
排行榜 (páiháng bǎng) · browse the top charts
语言 (yǔyán) · browse by the language
If you enjoy singing, you probably have your own list of favorite songs. Sharing playlists is also a good way to make friends and bond over music:
playlist
02. Singing Modes
to sing with the original
singer's voice in the background
And once you've gained some experience and started feeling like a karaoke pro, challenge yourself by singing without the original voice in the background.
to sing without the original
singer's voice in the background
03. KTV Rules
It's essential to respect each other's song choices and take turns selecting songs. Everyone has different musical tastes, so letting everyone have their moment to shine is key. Avoid being a mic hog (麦霸 màibà) and don't monopolize the microphone at the KTV party. It's also not polite to cut off (切歌 qiēgē) someone else's song to sing their own.
to cut off someone else's song
mic lord, mic hog
BONUS
月亮代表我的心
This song is a classic love song. The memorable lyrics are easy to sing along to, even for beginners.
"Yuèliang Dàibiǎo Wǒ de Xīn"
小苹果
It's a catchy and fun song from 2014 with easy lyrics, perfect for everyone to sing along and enjoy.
"Xiǎo Píngguǒ"
告白气球
A karaoke session isn't complete without a Jay Chou song. The song's romantic lyrics, coupled with its catchy melody, make it a popular choice.
"Gàobái Qìqiú"
平凡之路
In KTV sessions this song is a go-to choice for KTV and a favorite choice for both solo performances and group sing-alongs.
"Píngfán Zhī Lù"
对不起, 我的中文不好
This catchy song captures the common struggles of language learners and is a favorite in KTV sessions among foreigners.
"Duìbùqǐ, Wǒ de Zhōngwén Bù Hǎo"
Practice with Teachers
That's Mandarin
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