noun HSK 4
song and dance · singing and dancing · musical performance

Meaning

歌舞 refers to performances or entertainment that combine singing and dancing. It can describe traditional folk performances, modern musical theater, or any artistic presentation featuring both vocal and dance elements. The term evokes festive, celebratory occasions and is commonly used in cultural and entertainment contexts.

Usage

This word is frequently used in formal or literary contexts to describe performances, shows, or cultural events. It often appears in phrases like 歌舞表演 (song and dance performance) or 歌舞团 (song and dance troupe). The term carries a somewhat elevated or artistic tone compared to simply saying 唱歌跳舞.

Examples

  1. 01
    晚会上有精彩的歌舞表演。
    Wǎn huì shàng yǒu jīng cǎi de biǎo yǎn.
    There was a wonderful song and dance performance at the evening party.
  2. 02
    少数民族的歌舞非常有特色。
    Shǎo shù mín de fēi cháng yǒu .
    The song and dance of ethnic minorities are very distinctive.

Characters

Measure words

  • chǎng一场歌舞表演
  • 一个歌舞节目

Common collocations

  • 歌舞表演
    biǎo yǎn
    song and dance performance
  • 歌舞
    tuán
    song and dance troupe
  • 歌舞升平
    shēng píng
    peace and prosperity (idiom, lit. singing and dancing in peace)
  • 民族歌舞
    mín
    ethnic song and dance

Origin

The compound directly combines 歌 (song) and 舞 (dance), two fundamental forms of artistic expression in Chinese culture that have been paired together since ancient times in rituals, celebrations, and entertainment.

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