舞台

• Pinyin: wǔ tái
• Hanzi breakdown: 舞 = complex character meaning dance; 台 = simplified form of 臺, meaning platform or stage

Meaning

Stage; platform. A raised area in a theatre or venue where performances take place.

Refers to a physical performance stage, but is also commonly used metaphorically to describe an arena for displaying one's abilities or achievements. For example, 人生的舞台 means 'the stage of life'. Frequently appears in contexts related to performing arts, career opportunities, and public events.

Examples

1. 演员们正在舞台上排练节目。 The actors are rehearsing their programme on stage.
2. 她第一次站在这么大的舞台上。 It was her first time standing on such a big stage.
3. 这个舞台的灯光效果特别好。 The lighting effects on this stage are particularly good.

Usage Guide

Context: performing arts, events, figurative

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 他终于站上了国际舞台。(He finally stepped onto the international stage.)
• 舞台上的表演非常精彩。(The performance on stage was wonderful.)

Don't Say

• 我们去舞台看电影吧。(Don't use 舞台 for a cinema — use 电影院. 舞台 refers to a live performance stage, not a movie screen.)

Origin & History

舞 means 'dance' and 台 means 'platform' or 'raised structure'. Originally referred to a platform for dance performances, later expanded to mean any performance stage.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal