戏剧

• Pinyin: xì jù
• Hanzi breakdown: 戏 = 又 + 戈, play/performance; 剧 = 豦 + 刂, drama/play

Meaning

Drama; theatrical art; theater.

A more formal and comprehensive term for dramatic arts, including plays, theater, and dramatic performances. Used in academic and artistic contexts. Common phrases include 戏剧学院 (drama academy), 戏剧性 (dramatic quality/theatricality), 戏剧表演 (theatrical performance). More formal than 戏 alone.

Examples

1. 她从小就对戏剧表演有浓厚的兴趣。 She's had a strong interest in theatrical performance since childhood.
2. 这个故事本身就充满了戏剧性，很适合改编成电影。 The story itself is full of dramatic tension, making it perfect for a film adaptation.
3. 他毕业于中央戏剧学院，科班出身。 He graduated from the Central Academy of Drama — formally trained.

Usage Guide

Context: arts, academic, entertainment

Tone: cultural

Do Say

• 戏剧艺术。(Theatrical arts.)
• 充满戏剧性。(Full of dramatic tension.)

Don't Say

• 今晚去看戏剧 casually — while correct, in everyday speech people more often say 看话剧 (spoken drama) or 看演出 (see a show)

Origin & History

Compound of 戏 (play/performance) + 剧 (drama), meaning theatrical drama.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal