Meaning
广告 refers to any form of advertisement or commercial message used to promote products, services, or ideas. It encompasses TV commercials, print ads, online banners, billboards, and all other promotional media. The word is formed from 广 (wide, broad) and 告 (to inform, announce), literally meaning 'wide announcement.'
Usage
广告 is used in all registers from casual to formal. It commonly appears in compounds like 广告牌 (billboard), 广告公司 (advertising agency), and 打广告 (to advertise). Native speakers often use 广 informally as shorthand. In mainland China, TV and online advertising are particularly prevalent contexts for this word.
Examples
- 01这个广告很有创意，我看了好几遍。, .This advertisement is very creative; I've watched it several times.
- 02公司决定在网上打广告来吸引年轻顾客。.The company decided to advertise online to attract young customers.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个广告
- 则一则广告
- 条一条广告
Common collocations
- 打广告to advertise, to run an ad
- 广告牌billboard, advertising board
- 广告公司advertising agency
- 电视广告TV commercial
Origin
The term combines 广 (wide, extensive) with 告 (to announce), creating the meaning of 'widespread announcement.' This modern compound reflects the mass-communication nature of advertising.