戏台上的故事
Stories on the Opera Stage
StartBefore the First Note
Su Le brings Chen An to a Peking Opera performance for the first time.
6 new words
京剧jīngjùPeking Opera
你看，今晚京剧演出的海报真漂亮。
Look, the poster for tonight's Peking Opera performance is beautiful.
演员yǎnyuánactor/actress
听说这位演员唱了大概三十年，功底很深。
I heard that this performer has been singing for about thirty years and has a strong foundation.
观众guānzhòngaudience
我第一次来，观众怎么这么早就进场？
It is my first time here. Why are the audience members going in so early?
厚hòuthick, deep
这本介绍册真厚，每一段都写得很清楚。
This introduction booklet is really thick, and every part is written very clearly.
演出yǎnchūto perform
你看，今晚京剧演出的海报真漂亮。
Look, the poster for tonight's Peking Opera performance is beautiful.
大概dàgàiroughly
听说这位演员唱了大概三十年，功底很深。
I heard that this performer has been singing for about thirty years and has a strong foundation.
Listen to the conversation
苏乐
你看，今晚京剧演出的海报真漂亮。
Nǐ kàn, jīnwǎn jīngjù yǎnchū de hǎibào zhēn piàoliang.
Look, the poster for tonight's Peking Opera performance is beautiful.
陈安
我第一次来，观众怎么这么早就进场？
Wǒ dì yī cì lái, guānzhòng zěnme zhème zǎo jiù jìnchǎng?
It is my first time here. Why are the audience members going in so early?
苏乐
大家想先看看节目单。听说这位演员唱了大概三十年，功底很深。
Dàjiā xiǎng xiān kànkan jiémùdān. Tīngshuō zhè wèi yǎnyuán chàng le dàgài sānshí nián, gōngdǐ hěn shēn.
Everyone wants to look at the program first. I heard that this performer has been singing for about thirty years and has a strong foundation.
陈安
这本介绍册真厚，每一段都写得很清楚。
Zhè běn jièshào cè zhēn hòu, měi yí duàn dōu xiě de hěn qīngchu.
This introduction booklet is really thick, and every part is written very clearly.
苏乐
对，等会儿看表演时会更容易懂。
Duì, děnghuìr kàn biǎoyǎn shí huì gèng róngyì dǒng.
Yes. It will be easier to understand the performance when we watch it.
陈安
那我们坐好吧，别错过开场。
Nà wǒmen zuò hǎo ba, bié cuòguò kāichǎng.
Then let's take our seats and not miss the beginning.
Tap a marked word for its meaning. Tap a line to see the English.
Grammar
听说这位演员唱了大概三十年，功底很深。I heard that this performer has been singing for about thirty years and has a strong foundation.
大概+ Numeral/Verb
大概 · “dàgài”. Adverb 'roughly/approximately'. Indicates estimation.
他8岁就开始上台演出，到现在大概唱了60多年了。
Tā bā suì jiù kāishǐ shàngtái yǎnchū, dào xiànzài dàgài chàng le liùshí duō nián le.
He started performing at 8, and has roughly sung for over 60 years.
Which word means “to perform”?
More Than a Story
During the interval, Su Le explains what makes Peking Opera expressive.
5 new words
来自láizìcome from
台上的故事来自历史吗？
Are the stories on the stage from history?
偶尔ǒu'ěroccasionally
演员偶尔还会跟观众互动。
The performers sometimes interact with the audience too.
吃惊chījīngto be surprised
我吃惊的是，几个人的表演就能把一个大场面表现出来。
What surprises me is that a few people's performance can create such a large scene.
基础jīchǔfoundation
唱、念、做、打都有自己的基础。
Singing, speaking, acting, and martial movement each have their own foundation.
表演biǎoyǎnto perform
我吃惊的是，几个人的表演就能把一个大场面表现出来。
What surprises me is that a few people's performance can create such a large scene.
Listen to the conversation
陈安
台上的故事来自历史吗？
Táishàng de gùshi láizì lìshǐ ma?
Are the stories on the stage from history?
苏乐
有些来自历史，有些来自传说。演员偶尔还会跟观众互动。
Yǒuxiē láizì lìshǐ, yǒuxiē láizì chuánshuō. Yǎnyuán ǒu'ěr hái huì gēn guānzhòng hùdòng.
Some come from history and some from legends. The performers sometimes interact with the audience too.
陈安
我吃惊的是，几个人的表演就能把一个大场面表现出来。
Wǒ chījīng de shì, jǐ ge rén de biǎoyǎn jiù néng bǎ yí ge dà chǎngmiàn biǎoxiàn chūlai.
What surprises me is that a few people's performance can create such a large scene.
苏乐
这需要长期练习。唱、念、做、打都有自己的基础。
Zhè xūyào chángqī liànxí. Chàng, niàn, zuò, dǎ dōu yǒu zìjǐ de jīchǔ.
That takes long-term practice. Singing, speaking, acting, and martial movement each have their own foundation.
陈安
我虽然听不懂每句词，可是动作和音乐很有趣。
Wǒ suīrán tīng bù dǒng měi jù cí, kěshì dòngzuò hé yīnyuè hěn yǒuqù.
Although I cannot understand every lyric, the movements and music are very interesting.
苏乐
慢慢看就好了，你会发现每次都有新感觉。
Mànmàn kàn jiù hǎo le, nǐ huì fāxiàn měi cì dōu yǒu xīn gǎnjué.
Just keep watching slowly. You will find a new feeling each time.
Grammar
演员偶尔还会跟观众互动。The performers sometimes interact with the audience too.
Subject +偶尔+ Verb
偶尔 · “ǒu'ěr”. Adverb 'occasionally'. Indicates low frequency.
我常常跟着电视学唱京剧，偶尔跟中国人一起唱上几句。
Wǒ chángcháng gēnzhe diànshì xué chàng Jīngjù, ǒu'ěr gēn Zhōngguó rén yìqǐ chàng shàng jǐ jù.
I often learn from TV, and occasionally sing a few lines with Chinese people.
Fill the gap台上的故事____历史吗？Are the stories on the stage from history?
Joining the Club
Chen An and Su Le discuss how their school's Peking Opera club is preparing its next performance.
7 new words
正常zhèngchángnormal
第一次紧张很正常，不用担心。
It is normal to be nervous the first time, so do not worry.
申请shēnqǐngto apply for
学校的京剧社正在为下个月的演出申请场地，你会参加吗？
The school's Peking Opera club is applying for a venue for next month's performance. Will you join?
有趣yǒuqùinteresting
这样也很有趣，我愿意试试。
That sounds interesting too. I am willing to try.
开心kāixīnhappy
只要大家开心，社团就会继续办下去。
As long as everyone is happy, the club will continue.
继续jìxùto continue
只要大家开心，社团就会继续办下去。
As long as everyone is happy, the club will continue.
由yóuby (agent)
会啊，大家先讨论节目内容，再由老师决定排练时间。
Yes. First everyone discusses the program, and then the teacher decides the rehearsal time.
讨论tǎolùnto discuss
会啊，大家先讨论节目内容，再由老师决定排练时间。
Yes. First everyone discusses the program, and then the teacher decides the rehearsal time.
Listen to the conversation
陈安
学校的京剧社正在为下个月的演出申请场地，你会参加吗？
Xuéxiào de jīngjù shè zhèngzài wèi xià ge yuè de yǎnchū shēnqǐng chǎngdì, nǐ huì cānjiā ma?
The school's Peking Opera club is applying for a venue for next month's performance. Will you join?
苏乐
会啊，大家先讨论节目内容，再由老师决定排练时间。
Huì a, dàjiā xiān tǎolùn jiémù nèiróng, zài yóu lǎoshī juédìng páiliàn shíjiān.
Yes. First everyone discusses the program, and then the teacher decides the rehearsal time.
陈安
我没有学过唱戏，站在台上会不会很奇怪？
Wǒ méiyǒu xué guo chàng xì, zhàn zài táishàng huì bú huì hěn qíguài?
I have never learned opera singing. Would it be strange for me to stand on stage?
苏乐
第一次紧张很正常，不用担心。你可以负责介绍或帮忙准备。
Dì yī cì jǐnzhāng hěn zhèngcháng, búyòng dānxīn. Nǐ kěyǐ fùzé jièshào huò bāngmáng zhǔnbèi.
It is normal to be nervous the first time, so do not worry. You can introduce the program or help prepare.
陈安
这样也很有趣，我愿意试试。
Zhèyàng yě hěn yǒuqù, wǒ yuànyì shìshi.
That sounds interesting too. I am willing to try.
苏乐
太好了。只要大家开心，社团就会继续办下去。
Tài hǎo le. Zhǐyào dàjiā kāixīn, shètuán jiù huì jìxù bàn xiàqu.
Great. As long as everyone is happy, the club will continue.
Grammar
会啊，大家先讨论节目内容，再由老师决定排练时间。Yes. First everyone discusses the program, and then the teacher decides the rehearsal time.
由+ Agent + Verb
由 · “yóu”. Preposition 'by'. Introduces the agent in charge of a task.
这次活动继续由你负责。
Zhè cì huódòng jìxù yóu nǐ fùzé.
You will continue to be in charge of this activity.
Which word means “by (agent)”?
An Open-Air Introduction
A short account of a community Peking Opera event that welcomes newcomers.
6 new words
大约dàyuēapproximately
大约三十位居民先在附近餐厅集合，再一起走到小剧场。
About thirty residents first met at a nearby restaurant and then walked together to a small theater.
餐厅cāntīngrestaurant
大约三十位居民先在附近餐厅集合，再一起走到小剧场。
About thirty residents first met at a nearby restaurant and then walked together to a small theater.
纸袋zhǐdàipaper bag
工作人员给每人一个纸袋，里面有节目单和简单的脸谱材料。
The staff gave each person a paper bag with a program and simple face-painting materials.
互联网hùliánwǎngInternet
有人把开始时间写错了，于是通过互联网马上通知大家。
Someone wrote the starting time incorrectly, so the group was notified immediately online.
进行jìnxíngto conduct
一场社区京剧体验活动在周末进行。
A community Peking Opera experience took place at the weekend.
错误cuòwùwrong; mistake
虽然出了一个小错误，活动还是按时开始。
Although there was a small error, the activity still began on time.
Listen to the text
一场社区京剧体验活动在周末进行。大约三十位居民先在附近餐厅集合，再一起走到小剧场。工作人员给每人一个纸袋，里面有节目单和简单的脸谱材料。有人把开始时间写错了，于是通过互联网马上通知大家。虽然出了一个小错误，活动还是按时开始。许多第一次接触京剧的观众说，这种轻松的安排让传统艺术不再遥远。
Yì chǎng shèqū jīngjù tǐyàn huódòng zài zhōumò jìnxíng. Dàyuē sānshí wèi jūmín xiān zài fùjìn cāntīng jíhé, zài yìqǐ zǒu dào xiǎo jùchǎng. Gōngzuò rényuán gěi měi rén yí ge zhǐdài, lǐmiàn yǒu jiémùdān hé jiǎndān de liǎnpǔ cáiliào. Yǒurén bǎ kāishǐ shíjiān xiě cuò le, yúshì tōngguò hùliánwǎng mǎshàng tōngzhī dàjiā. Suīrán chū le yí ge xiǎo cuòwù, huódòng háishì ànshí kāishǐ. Xǔduō dì yī cì jiēchù jīngjù de guānzhòng shuō, zhè zhǒng qīngsōng de ānpái ràng chuántǒng yìshù bú zài yáoyuǎn.
A community Peking Opera experience took place at the weekend. About thirty residents first met at a nearby restaurant and then walked together to a small theater. The staff gave each person a paper bag with a program and simple face-painting materials. Someone wrote the starting time incorrectly, so the group was notified immediately online. Although there was a small error, the activity still began on time. Many audience members who were encountering Peking Opera for the first time said that this relaxed arrangement made traditional art feel less distant.
Grammar
一场社区京剧体验活动在周末进行。A community Peking Opera experience took place at the weekend.
进行+ Disyllabic Verb
进行 · “jìnxíng”. Verb 'to conduct/carry out'. Followed by a disyllabic verb (e.g. 调查, 讨论).
有人在互联网上专门进行过调查。
Yǒu rén zài hùliánwǎng shang zhuānmén jìnxíng guò diàochá.
Someone conducted a strict survey on the internet.
Fill the gap虽然出了一个小____，活动还是按时开始。Although there was a small error, the activity still began on time.
Culture
Chopsticks in Chinese Culture
Chopsticks involved in Chinese culture are deeper than just eating tools. They reflect uprightness, harmony, and solidarity. There are specific etiquettes like not tapping bowls or pointing at people.
Making Time for the Stage
A reflection on how evening performances bring different generations into the same shared experience.
5 new words
随着suízhealong with
随着城市文化活动越来越多，先吃晚饭再看演出成了常见的安排。
As city cultural events become more common, having dinner before a performance has become a familiar arrangement.
十分shífēnvery, extremely
这样的安排十分方便，在剧院周围尤其普遍。
It is very convenient and especially widespread around theaters.
普遍pǔbiànuniversal
这样的安排十分方便，在剧院周围尤其普遍。
It is very convenient and especially widespread around theaters.
稍微shāowēislightly
许多剧院附近的餐厅会在开场前稍微提前上菜，帮助客人节省时间。
Many restaurants near theaters serve dishes a little earlier before the curtain rises, helping guests save time.
省shěngprovince
许多剧院附近的餐厅会在开场前稍微提前上菜，帮助客人节省时间。
Many restaurants near theaters serve dishes a little earlier before the curtain rises, helping guests save time.
Listen to the text
随着城市文化活动越来越多，先吃晚饭再看演出成了常见的安排。这样的安排十分方便，在剧院周围尤其普遍。许多剧院附近的餐厅会在开场前稍微提前上菜，帮助客人节省时间。不过，真正吸引人们走进剧院的，还是舞台上的故事和声音。年轻观众愿意在网上分享感受，年长观众也乐意介绍自己熟悉的唱段。不同年龄的人坐在一起看戏，常常能发现彼此都喜欢的地方。
Suízhe chéngshì wénhuà huódòng yuèláiyuè duō, xiān chī wǎnfàn zài kàn yǎnchū chéng le chángjiàn de ānpái. Zhèyàng de ānpái shífēn fāngbiàn, zài jùyuàn zhōuwéi yóuqí pǔbiàn. Xǔduō jùyuàn fùjìn de cāntīng huì zài kāichǎng qián shāowēi tíqián shàng cài, bāngzhù kèrén jiéshěng shíjiān. Búguò, zhēnzhèng xīyǐn rénmen zǒu jìn jùyuàn de, háishì wǔtái shàng de gùshi hé shēngyīn. Niánqīng guānzhòng yuànyì zài wǎngshàng fēnxiǎng gǎnshòu, niánzhǎng guānzhòng yě lèyì jièshào zìjǐ shúxī de chàngduàn. Bùtóng niánlíng de rén zuò zài yìqǐ kàn xì, chángcháng néng fāxiàn bǐcǐ dōu xǐhuan de dìfang.
As city cultural events become more common, having dinner before a performance has become a familiar arrangement. It is very convenient and especially widespread around theaters. Many restaurants near theaters serve dishes a little earlier before the curtain rises, helping guests save time. Yet what truly draws people into the theater is still the stories and sounds on the stage. Young audience members share their feelings online, while older viewers enjoy introducing the scenes they know well. When people of different ages watch opera together, they often discover things they all like.
Grammar
随着城市文化活动越来越多，先吃晚饭再看演出成了常见的安排。As city cultural events become more common, having dinner before a performance has become a familiar arrangement.
随着+ Noun Phrase + Verb
随着 · “suízhe”. Preposition 'along with/as'. Indicates that one state changes as another changes.
随着人们对茶的认识的加深，慢慢开始把它当作解渴的饮料。
Suízhe rénmen duì chá de rènshi de jiāshēn, mànmàn kāishǐ bǎ tā dāngzuò jiěkě de yǐnliào.
As people's understanding of tea deepened, they slowly began to treat it as a beverage.
Which word means “slightly”?
Write the new characters
0 of 23 written
京 from 京剧 · Peking Opera
Trace the strokes in order
Practice
8 questions · about 4 minutes
Pick the meaningListenFill the gapMatchWord order
Finish
Finish the practice to complete this lesson.