Definitions

(noun) play; drama; show
(noun) trick; joke
(verb) to play; to perform

Etymology

Simplified form of . Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "military troops outside the main group". The meaning later shifted to "sport" and "play".

About

The traditional character 戲, from which the simplified form 戏 originates, is structurally composed of 虍 denoting a tiger, 豆 representing a vessel or platform, and 戈 meaning a spear or weapon, a configuration that implies an early connection to ritualized demonstrations or martial displays involving symbolic tools and animals. This composition suggests the term initially referred to performative acts with a ceremonial or competitive nature, which over time shifted in emphasis toward staged dramatic arts and theatrical productions. The semantic range of the character subsequently expanded to include notions of games, amusement, and lighthearted mockery, encompassing a variety of recreational activities. In its simplified iteration, 戏 retains the element 戈 while incorporating 又, offering a more abbreviated graphic form that nevertheless carries the same broad conceptual associations with performance and play.

Example Sentences Hide

我们在玩游

Wǒmen zài wán yóuxì.

We are playing a game.

这场很好看。

Zhè chǎng xì hěn hǎokàn.

This play is very good.

他喜欢看剧。

Tā xǐhuān kàn xìjù.

He likes watching dramas.

不要弄别人。

Bùyào xìnòng biérén.

Don't tease others.

时间结束了。

Yóuxì shíjiān jiéshù le.

Game time is over.

剧表演非常精彩。

Xìjù biǎoyǎn fēicháng jīngcǎi.

The drama performance is extremely wonderful.

她在这部中饰演母亲。

Tā zài zhè bù xì zhōng shìyǎn mǔqīn.

She plays the mother in this drama.

孩子们在公园里嬉玩耍。

Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ xīxì wánshuǎ.

The children are playing and having fun in the park.