These three characters combine to form a perfect calque (a word-for-word translation) of “rock and roll music.” `摇 (yáo)` is “rock,” `滚 (gǔn)` is “roll,” and `乐 (yuè)` is “music.” The term is both a phonetic and semantic match for its English origin.
In the West, rock and roll was a form of youth rebellion in the 1950s and 60s. In China, its arrival in the 1980s carried a much heavier weight. After decades of collectivist ideology and state-controlled art, 摇滚乐 (yáogǔnyuè) burst onto the scene as a powerful and raw form of individual expression. The most crucial figure in this movement is Cui Jian (崔健), often called the “Godfather of Chinese Rock.” His 1986 song, “一无所有” (Yī Wú Suǒ Yǒu - “Nothing to My Name”), became the unofficial anthem for a generation of young people grappling with disillusionment and a desire for change. The song's raw vocals and honest lyrics about feeling lost and powerless resonated deeply and were famously sung by students during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. Comparison with Western “Rock and Roll”: While both represent rebellion, Chinese 摇滚乐 was far more politically charged and socially significant in its early days. It wasn't just about challenging parental authority; it was about questioning an entire political and social system. It symbolized the “opening up” of China and a break from the past. In contrast, Western rock, while often counter-cultural, existed within a society that already had a long tradition of free expression. Chinese rock music was a new, explosive voice in a place where such voices were rare.
Today, the meaning of 摇滚乐 has broadened significantly. While it still carries a nostalgic, rebellious connotation for older generations, for younger Chinese people, it's often just another music genre.