Chinese word

高潮

Pronunciation

Pinyingāo cháo

Meaning

  • nounclimax

Example

这场比赛到了高潮。zhè chǎng bǐ sài dào le gāo cháo

The match reached its climax.

Illustration for 高潮 (climax)

More examples

涨潮时，港口附近可能出现高潮，船只进出受影响。zhǎng cháo shí gáng kǒu fù jìn kě néng chū xiàn gāo cháo chuán zhī jìn chū shòu yíng xiǎng

During the rising tide, high tide may occur near the harbor, affecting ships entering and leaving.

Core concept

The water reaches its highest point, and any rising event or feeling can reach the same peak.

Common phrases

  • 把演出推向高潮bǎ yǎn chū tuī xiàng gāo cháo

    bring the performance to a climax

  • 气氛达到高潮qì fēn dá dào gāo cháo

    atmosphere reaches a peak

  • 音乐达到高潮yīn yuè dá dào gāo cháo

    music reaches a climax

Similar words

顶点díng diǎn: The highest point that a process, situation, or development reaches.
高峰gāo fēng: The time when the force, activity, or success of something reaches its peak.
最高点zuì gāo diǎn: The maximum point of something in position, amount, or degree.

Definition in Chinese

原指潮水达到最高点的状态，现多引申为事情或情感达到最高潮、最关键的时刻。yuán zhǐ cháo shuǐ dá dào zuì gāo diǎn de zhuàng tài xiàn duō yǐn shēn wèi shì qíng huò qíng gǎn dá dào zuì gāo cháo zuì guān jiàn de shí kè

Word origin

The original sense of 高潮 (gāocháo, "high tide") was the highest stage of a tide, which naturally became a term for the peak of a story, contest, or feeling.

Usage tips

  • News reports and reviews commonly use this word for the high point of a match or plot, while casual speech also uses it for a strong emotional peak.

Other meanings

  • high tidenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 高潮期gāo cháo qīpeak periodnoun

Word lists with this word