Chinese word

娱乐

Pronunciation

Pinyinyú lè

Meaning

  • verbentertain

Example

这个节目能娱乐孩子们。zhè ge jié mù néng yú lè hái zi men

This program can entertain children.

Illustration for 娱乐 (entertain)

More examples

这部电影只是想娱乐大众。zhè bù diàn yǐng zhǐ shì xiǎng yú lè dà zhòng

This film just wants to entertain the public.

Core concept

Turning attention toward shared enjoyment through play, humor, performance, or games.

Common phrases

  • 娱乐观众yú lè guān zhòng

    entertain the audience

  • 娱乐自己yú lè zì jǐ

    entertain oneself

  • 娱乐大众yú lè dà zhòng

    entertain the general public

Similar words

玩wán: Plays or takes part in games to have fun.
逗dòu: Amuses someone through funny words, gestures, or playful actions.

Definition in Chinese

以使人愉快为目的，通过笑话、表演、游戏等提供消遣的行为或过程。yǐ shǐ rén yú kuài wèi mù dì tōng guò xiào huà biáo yǎn yóu xì děng tí gōng xiāo qiǎn de xíng wéi huò guò chéng

Word origin

娱乐 (yúlè, "entertain") combines 娱 (yú, "amuse") with 乐 (lè, "joy"), linking the act of amusing people with the pleasure it creates.

Usage tips

  • The same form can work as a verb before a person or group and as a noun after a modifier naming a program, activity, or industry, so its grammatical role comes from context.

Other meanings

  • entertainmentnoun
  • funnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 娱乐业yú lè yèentertainment businessnoun
  • 娱乐圈yú lè quānentertainment worldnoun
  • 娱乐性yú lè xìngentertainment qualitynoun

Word lists with this word