齣 (chū) - A measure word for scenes, acts, or episodes & also refers to a single performance or show.

齣Tone 1

chū ｜ 20 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

齣 · chū

A measure word for scenes, acts, or episodes in plays, operas, or TV dramas;

also refers to a single performance or show.

A measure word for scenes, acts, or episodesalso refers to a single performance or show.

Usage highlights

One act/sceneDrama/playFirst actFinal actComplete operaShort scene

Synonyms

  • 场— measure word for performances, scenes
  • 幕— act or curtain in Western-style plays
  • 段— segment or section

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The first act of the play(第一齣戏)
  • This Kunqu opera has fifty-five scenes(五十五齣)
  • We watched two episodes of the drama(两齣电视剧)
  • He performed a one-man show(一齣独角戏)

Collocations

  • One act/scene(一齣)
  • Drama/play(戏齣)
  • First act(头齣)
  • Final act(末齣)
  • Complete opera(全齣)
  • Short scene(短齣)

Idioms

  • A farce(一齣闹剧)
  • A tragedy(一齣悲剧)
  • A comedy(一齣喜剧)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally used in traditional Chinese opera, particularly Kunqu and Peking opera, to count scenes or acts.
  • In traditional opera, each 齣 is a complete dramatic unit with its own plot development.
  • The character contains 齒 (tooth) component, possibly relating to the idea of 'biting off' a segment of performance.

FAQ