Chinese word

序幕

Pronunciation

Pinyinxù mù

Meaning

  • nounprelude

Example

这只是事情的序幕。zhè zhǐ shì shì qíng de xù mù

This is only the prelude to what is to come.

Illustration for 序幕 (prelude)

More examples

大会的开幕式为这次论坛揭开序幕。dà huì de kāi mù shì wèi zhè cì lùn tán jiē kāi xù mù

The conference's opening ceremony began the prelude to this forum.

Core concept

A first curtain opening onto the larger story, event, or process that follows.

Common phrases

  • 揭开序幕jiē kāi xù mù

    begin the prelude

Similar words

开端kāi duān: The beginning stage of an event or action.
开始kāi shǐ: The starting point in time for an event or process.
起点qí diǎn: The starting place or time of a journey, process, or development.
序章xù zhāng: A preliminary chapter that introduces a book or play before its main sections.

Definition in Chinese

某重大事件、活动或作品的开端部分，通常预示后续情节或发展的展开。mǒu zhòng dà shì jiàn huó dòng huò zuò pǐn de kāi duān bù fèn tōng cháng yù shì hòu xù qíng jié huò fā zhǎn de zhǎn kāi

Word origin

序幕 (xùmù, "opening curtain") combines 序 (xù, "preface or order") with 幕 (mù, "curtain"), so the first curtain marks the beginning before the main scenes unfold.

Usage tips

  • This noun has a formal, literary tone and fits news reports, speeches, and comments on stories or events better than casual small talk.

Other meanings

  • prologuenoun

Opposites

  • 终章zhōng zhāngfinal chapternoun

Word lists with this word