歌剧 — meaning in English: opera

gējù · Learn this word with quizzes, examples and more on Maspeak.

Guess the translation for opera

车轮

chēlún

民主

mínzhǔ

歌剧

gējù

运行

yùnxíng

测试

cèshì

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neutral common

Usage

Native speakers often use the word 歌剧 (gējù) when discussing performing arts, especially in cultural settings like theaters or during conversations about music festivals. For example, you may hear it during a discussion about attending a local opera performance or when talking about famous operas in Chinese literature classes.

Synonyms & nuances

While 歌剧 (gējù) specifically refers to Western-style opera, the term 戏曲 (xìqǔ) refers to traditional Chinese opera. You would choose 歌剧 when discussing Western operatic performances or compositions, while 戏曲 is used for forms deeply rooted in Chinese culture.

Culture

The term 歌剧 (gējù) combines the characters for 'song' (歌, gē) and 'drama' (剧, jù), emphasizing the musical nature of opera. Historically, Chinese opera encompasses various traditional forms, but the Western-style opera reflected in the term gējù gained popularity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, blending Western influences with Chinese storytelling.

FAQ

Q.What is the pronunciation of 歌剧?

The pronunciation of 歌剧 in Mandarin is gējù. You can listen to native speakers to get the correct tones, as the first syllable requires a high level tone and the second is a falling tone.

Q.How do you say 'I love opera' in Mandarin?

You can say '我爱歌剧' (wǒ ài gējù) to express your love for opera in Mandarin. This phrase can be used in casual conversations about your interests.

Q.Are there different types of opera in China?

Yes, China has various forms of opera, such as 京剧 (jīngjù, Peking opera) and 昆曲 (kūnqǔ, Kunqu opera). Each style has its unique performance techniques and cultural significance, distinguishing them from the Western concept of 歌剧.

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