俳 (pái) - actor, comedian & a type of classical Chinese poetry (linked verse)

俳Tone 2

pái ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

柠七

俳 · pái

actor, comedian;

a type of classical Chinese poetry (linked verse);

farce, jest.

actor, comediana type of classical Chinese poetry (linked verse)farce, jest.

Usage highlights

comediancomic performancehaiku poetrycomic dialogueactor's professioncomic actor

Synonyms

  • 优— actor, performer
  • 伶— actor, performer
  • 戏子— actor (archaic, sometimes derogatory)

Antonyms

  • 正— serious, formal (antonym to the 'jest' sense)
  • 庄— solemn, dignified

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He is a comedian (俳优).
  • They performed a comic skit (俳谐).
  • She writes linked-verse poetry (俳句, Japanese haiku).
  • The performance had a farcical element (俳谐 element).

Collocations

  • comedian(俳优)
  • comic performance(俳谐)
  • haiku poetry(俳句)
  • comic dialogue(俳谈)
  • actor's profession(俳业)
  • comic actor(俳人)

Idioms

  • Comic actors and musicians(俳优侏儒)
  • Comic and jesting talk(俳谐嘲谑)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In ancient China, 俳 referred to performers specializing in comedy and farce.
  • The character is used in 俳句, the Japanese term for haiku, which evolved from a form of Chinese linked verse.
  • Historically, 俳优 held a low social status but were important for court entertainment.

FAQ