戏

戯/戲

xì

又 + 戈

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

xì (noun) play; drama; show

xì (noun) trick; joke

xì (verb) to play; to perform

Etymology

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

About

戏 is the simplified form of 戲, a phonosemantic compound in which 戈 (a spear or halberd) provides the meaning and 䖒 the sound. The simplified character replaces the left side with 又 ('again' or 'right hand') while keeping 戈. Originally it referred to military troops outside the main group; later the meaning shifted to sport and play, encompassing theatrical performance, games, and playful teasing.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze Mid Western Zhou (~900 BC)

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze Early Spring and Autumn (~700 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们在玩游戏。

Wǒmen zài wán yóuxì.

We are playing a game.

这场戏很好看。

Zhè chǎng xì hěn hǎokàn.

This play is very good.

他喜欢看戏剧。

Tā xǐhuān kàn xìjù.

He likes watching dramas.

不要戏弄别人。

Bùyào xìnòng biérén.

Don't tease others.

游戏时间结束了。

Yóuxì shíjiān jiéshù le.

Game time is over.

戏剧表演非常精彩。

Xìjù biǎoyǎn fēicháng jīngcǎi.

The drama performance is extremely wonderful.

她在这部戏中饰演母亲。

Tā zài zhè bù xì zhōng shìyǎn mǔqīn.

She plays the mother in this drama.

孩子们在公园里嬉戏玩耍。

Háizimen zài gōngyuán lǐ xīxì wánshuǎ.

The children are playing and having fun in the park.

Related Characters

Component: 又

Component: 戈

戏