The word 直播 is formed by combining two characters: 直 (zhí), meaning "direct" or "straight", and 播 (bō), meaning "to sow" or "to broadcast". The concept merges the idea of a direct, unedited transmission (直) with the act of dissemination or broadcasting (播), traditionally used for seeds or radio/TV signals. Together, they create a vivid conceptual metaphor for real-time transmission, picture content being "sown" or sent out "directly" to an audience without delay or intermediation, perfectly capturing the essence of a live broadcast.