HSK · Level 25
135 words
Chinese word
马戏
Pronunciation
Pinyinmǎ xì
Meaning
- nouncircus
Example
孩子们喜欢看马戏。hái zi men xǐ huān kàn mǎ xì
The children like watching the circus.
More examples
孩子们很期待晚上的马戏表演。hái zi men hěn qī dài wǎn shàng de mǎ xì biáo yǎn
The children are eagerly looking forward to tonight's circus performance.
Core concept
A colorful live show that combines daring physical skills, animal acts, and many kinds of performance.
Common phrases
马戏表演mǎ xì biáo yǎn
circus performance
去看马戏qù kàn mǎ xì
go see the circus
马戏团mǎ xì tuán
circus troupe
Similar words
马戏团mǎ xì tuán: A circus troupe or company that presents animal acts, acrobatics, and other circus performances.
表演biáo yǎn: A performance presented for an audience, such as a play, song, or skilled act.
杂技zá jì: A performing art that features skillful physical feats, including acrobatics and aerial acts.
Definition in Chinese
在剧场或临时搭建的场地上进行的以杂技、驯兽和各种表演节目为主的现场娱乐演出。zài jù chǎng huò lín shí dā jiàn de chǎng dì shàng jìn xíng de yǐ zá jì xùn shòu hé gè zhǒng biáo yǎn jié mù wéi zhǔ de xiàn chǎng yú lè yǎn chū
Word origin
The compound 马 (mǎ, "horse") + 戏 (xì, "performance") reflects early horse-centered spectacles, whose range later broadened to the wider circus show.
Usage tips
- English speakers may picture only a big tent, but the Chinese term also covers circus performances held in theaters or other temporary venues.
Related words
- 马戏团mǎ xì tuáncircus troupenoun
- 马戏院mǎ xì yuàncircus theaternoun
- 马戏演员mǎ xì yǎn yuáncircus performernoun