Chinese word

悲剧

Pronunciation

Pinyinbēi jù

Meaning

  • nountragedy

Example

这件事真是个悲剧。zhè jiàn shì zhēn shì gè bēi jù

This really is a tragedy.

Illustration for 悲剧 (tragedy)

More examples

这部电影以悲剧收场，观众泪流满面。zhè bù diàn yǐng yǐ bēi jù shōu chǎng guān zhòng lèi liú mǎn miàn

This movie ends in tragedy, and the audience is in tears.

Core concept

A story or real-life event whose painful outcome leaves suffering and loss at the center.

Common phrases

  • 以悲剧收场yǐ bēi jù shōu chǎng

    end in tragedy

  • 一出悲剧yì chū bēi jù

    a tragedy

  • 造成悲剧zào chéng bēi jù

    bring about a tragedy

Similar words

不幸bú xìng: A misfortune or unlucky condition that causes problems for a person or situation.
灾难zāi nàn: A major disaster that severely harms many people, places, or things.
悲伤bēi shāng: The deep sadness felt in response to pain, loss, or other sorrow.

Definition in Chinese

指以悲惨结局为特征的戏剧体裁，或比喻发生了令人痛苦和悲伤的事件。zhǐ yǐ bēi cǎn jié jú wèi tè zhēng de xì jù tǐ cái huò bǐ yù fā shēng le lìng rén tòng kǔ hé bēi shāng de shì jiàn

Word origin

悲剧 (bēijù, "tragedy") combines 悲 (bēi, "sorrowful") with 剧 (jù, "drama"), connecting a sorrowful dramatic ending with a similarly painful event in real life.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often reserve "tragedy" for very serious events, but everyday Chinese can use 悲剧 (bēijù, "tragedy") for a smaller mishap when the speaker is being dramatic or ironic.

Opposites

Related words

  • 悲剧性bēi jù xìngtragic naturenoun

Word lists with this word