戏剧性
xìjùxìng
The English word "dramatic" is translated into Chinese as 戏剧性 (xìjùxìng).
戏剧性 is used to describe something that is striking in appearance or effect. While it can describe a striking appearance, it is most commonly used to describe a sudden, unexpected or highly-tensioned change in circumstances or plot.
Meaning: striking in appearance or effect (adj)
Which one should you use?
Use 剧烈 (jùliè) instead of 戏剧性 when describing a physical sensation or a rapid, forceful change, such as a "dramatic increase" in temperature or pain.
How do you pronounce it?
xìjùxìng
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word for 'drama' or 'theatre', 戏剧 (xìjù), contains the character 戏 (xì), which also means 'play' or 'game'. This linguistic link suggests that a dramatic event is often viewed as a form of social performance.
- The character 剧 (jù) originally referred to a large, ancient type of musical performance that combined dance, song and acting. This root connects the modern word for 'dramatic' to a tradition of total theater rather than just written dialogue.
- If you describe a person's behavior as 戏剧性, you might be implying they are being 'theatrical' or 'melodramatic' in a way that feels fake.
Examples in context
- 电影中存在戏剧性的转折点。There are dramatic turning points in the movie.
- 他总是穿着引人注目的服装。He always wears attention-grabbing outfits.
- 她的反应超级夸张！Her reaction is super dramatic!
- 他真是个戏精！He is such a drama king!
- 这个结局非常有戏剧性。Zhège jiéjú fēicháng yǒu xìjùxìng.This ending is very dramatic.
- 她的变化很有戏剧性。Tā de biànhuà hěn yǒu xìjùxìng.Her change was quite dramatic.
- 情节的发展很有戏剧性。Qíngjié de fāzhǎn hěn yǒu xìjùxìng.The development of the plot is very dramatic.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 志强 Zhiqiang这部电影的情节很有戏剧性。Zhè bù diànyǐng de qíngjié hěn yǒu xìjùxìng.The plot of this movie is very dramatic.
- 雨婷 Yuting是啊，转折太突然了。Shì a, zhuǎnzhé tài tūrán le.Yes, the twist was so sudden.
- 志强 Zhiqiang雨婷，你觉得结局怎么样？Yǔtíng, nǐ juédé jiéjú zěnmeyàng?Yuting, what did you think of the ending?
- 雨婷 Yuting很有戏剧性，我也很意外。Hěn yǒu xìjùxìng, wǒ yě hěn yìwài.It was very dramatic, and I was quite surprised too.
