新闻 (xīn wén) literally means 'new information' — 新 (xīn) means 'new', and 闻 (wén) is an archaic character meaning 'to hear' or 'news/information'. Together, they form the standard modern Chinese word for 'news' — reports about recent events of public interest. It refers to factual accounts delivered through media such as TV, newspapers, websites, or apps.

The term is neutral in register and widely used across formal and informal contexts — from headlines ('今日新闻') to casual conversation ('你看过今天的新闻吗？'). While it can refer to a single news story, it’s often uncountable (no plural marker needed), and when quantified, classifiers like 条 (tiáo) are used: 一条新闻 ('a piece of news'). News programs, agencies, and headlines all commonly include this word, making it essential for understanding current events and daily communication.