🎭 Chinese Arts & Literature Vocabulary 文学·艺术·影视
70 essential Mandarin Chinese words for the Arts & Literature scene, each with pinyin, English meaning, HSK level and native speaker audio, plus example sentences. Tap 🔊 to listen.
- 表演 biǎo yǎn HSK 3to perform an act (a dance, a trick); the acting itself孩子们的表演很精彩hái zi men de biǎo yǎn hěn jīng cǎiThe children's performance was wonderful.
- 演出 yǎn chū HSK 3to give a public show; a performance (the whole event)今晚的演出非常精彩。jīn wǎn de yǎn chū fēi cháng jīng cǎiTonight's performance is wonderful.
- 演 yǎn HSK 3to perform; to act; to play (a role)他在电影里演一个警察。tā zài diàn yǐng lǐ yǎn yí ge jǐng cháHe plays a policeman in the movie.
- 京剧 jīng jù HSK 3Beijing opera爷爷很喜欢听京剧yé ye hěn xǐ huan tīng jīng jùGrandpa really loves listening to Beijing opera.
- 赏 shǎng HSK 4to enjoy; to appreciate; to reward春天大家都去公园赏花。chūn tiān dà jiā dōu qù gōng yuán shǎng huāIn spring everyone goes to the park to enjoy the flowers.
- 扮演 bàn yǎn HSK 5to play the role of; to act他在电影里扮演一个警察。tā zài diàn yǐng lǐ bàn yǎn yí ge jǐng cháHe plays a policeman in the movie.
- 戏 xì HSK 5drama; play; show; game这出戏演得非常精彩。zhè chū xì yǎn de fēi cháng jīng cǎiThis play was performed wonderfully.
- 上演 shàng yǎn HSK 6to stage; to screen; to put on (a performance)这部话剧下周将在剧院上演。zhè bù huà jù xià zhōu jiāng zài jù yuàn shàng yǎnThis play will be staged at the theater next week.
- 上台 shàng tái HSK 6to go on stage; to come to power轮到你上台表演了。lún dào nǐ shàng tái biǎo yǎn leIt's your turn to go on stage and perform.
- 观众 guān zhòng HSK 3spectators; audience台下的观众都站起来了。tái xià de guān zhòng dōu zhàn qǐ lái leThe audience below the stage all stood up.
- 舞台 wǔ tái HSK 3stage; arena她第一次站上舞台。tā dì yī cì zhàn shàng wǔ táiShe stood on stage for the first time.
- 全场 quán chǎng HSK 3the whole audience; everyone present; whole venue他一唱完，全场都鼓掌了。tā yí chàng wán quán chǎng dōu gǔ zhǎng leAs soon as he finished singing, the whole audience applauded.
- 剧场 jù chǎng HSK 3theater今晚我们去剧场看话剧。jīn wǎn wǒ men qù jù chǎng kàn huà jùTonight we're going to the theater to watch a play.
- 展览 zhǎn lǎn HSK 5to exhibit; exhibition; show美术馆正在展览名家的作品。měi shù guǎn zhèng zài zhǎn lǎn míng jiā de zuò pǐnThe art gallery is exhibiting the works of famous masters.
- 明星 míng xīng HSK 2star; celebrity她是一位有名的电影明星。tā shì yí wèi yǒu míng de diàn yǐng míng xīngShe is a famous movie star.
- 偶像 ǒu xiàng HSK 5idol这位歌手是很多年轻人的偶像。zhè wèi gē shǒu shì hěn duō nián qīng rén de ǒu xiàngThis singer is the idol of many young people.
- 歌星 gē xīng HSK 6singing star; famous singer她从小就梦想成为歌星。tā cóng xiǎo jiù mèng xiǎng chéng wéi gē xīngShe has dreamed of becoming a singing star since childhood.
- 小说 xiǎo shuō HSK 2novel; fiction我最近在看一本小说。wǒ zuì jìn zài kàn yì běn xiǎo shuōI've been reading a novel lately.
- 故事 gù shi HSK 2story; tale妈妈给我讲了一个故事。mā ma gěi wǒ jiǎng le yí ge gù shiMom told me a story.
- 作品 zuò pǐn HSK 3work (of art or literature)这幅作品非常有名。zhè fú zuò pǐn fēi cháng yǒu míngThis work is very famous.
- 艺术 yì shù HSK 3art她对艺术很感兴趣。tā duì yì shù hěn gǎn xìng qùShe is very interested in art.
- 传说 chuán shuō HSK 3legend; folklore; it is said that这里有一个古老的传说。zhè lǐ yǒu yí ge gǔ lǎo de chuán shuōThere is an ancient legend here.
- 创作 chuàng zuò HSK 3to create (art/literature); creative work他花了三年时间创作这首歌。tā huā le sān nián shí jiān chuàng zuò zhè shǒu gēHe spent three years creating this song.
- 文学 wén xué HSK 3literature他很喜欢中国古典文学。tā hěn xǐ huan zhōng guó gǔ diǎn wén xuéHe really likes classical Chinese literature.
- 美术 měi shù HSK 3art; fine arts我最喜欢上美术课。wǒ zuì xǐ huān shàng měi shù kèMy favorite class is art.
- 话剧 huà jù HSK 3stage play; modern drama我们晚上去看一场话剧。wǒ men wǎn shang qù kàn yì chǎng huà jùWe're going to see a stage play tonight.
- 影视 yǐng shì HSK 3film and television他从小就喜欢影视作品。tā cóng xiǎo jiù xǐ huan yǐng shì zuò pǐnHe has loved film and television works since childhood.
- 角色 jué sè HSK 4role; character (in a story)他在电影里演一个重要的角色。tā zài diàn yǐng lǐ yǎn yí ge zhòng yào de jué sèHe plays an important role in the movie.
- 主题 zhǔ tí HSK 4theme; subject; topic今天讨论的主题是环保。jīn tiān tǎo lùn de zhǔ tí shì huán bǎoToday's topic of discussion is environmental protection.
- 经典 jīng diǎn HSK 4classic; classics这部电影是一部真正的经典。zhè bù diàn yǐng shì yí bù zhēn zhèng de jīng diǎnThis movie is a true classic.
- 诗 shī HSK 4poem; poetry他写了一首很美的诗。tā xiě le yì shǒu hěn měi de shīHe wrote a very beautiful poem.
- 日记 rì jì HSK 4diary她每天晚上都写日记。tā měi tiān wǎn shàng dōu xiě rì jìShe writes in her diary every night.
- 著作 zhù zuò HSK 4written work; book; writings这是他一生最重要的著作。zhè shì tā yì shēng zuì zhòng yào de zhù zuòThis is the most important work of his life.
- 神话 shén huà HSK 4myth; mythology; legend我小时候很喜欢听希腊神话。wǒ xiǎo shí hou hěn xǐ huan tīng xī là shén huàWhen I was little I loved listening to Greek myths.
- 童话 tóng huà HSK 4children's fairy tale孩子们喜欢听童话故事。hái zi men xǐ huan tīng tóng huà gù shiChildren like listening to fairy tales.
- 描写 miáo xiě HSK 4to describe; to depict; to portray这篇文章描写了乡村的生活。zhè piān wén zhāng miáo xiě le xiāng cūn de shēng huóThis article describes rural life.
- 动画片 dòng huà piàn HSK 4animated film; cartoon孩子们最爱看动画片了。hái zi men zuì ài kàn dòng huà piàn leChildren love watching cartoons the most.
- 悲剧 bēi jù HSK 5tragedy这场悲剧让所有人都很难过。zhè chǎng bēi jù ràng suǒ yǒu rén dōu hěn nán guòThis tragedy made everyone very sad.
- 情节 qíng jié HSK 5plot; storyline; circumstances这部电影的情节很紧张。zhè bù diàn yǐng de qíng jié hěn jǐn zhāngThe plot of this movie is very tense.
- 剧本 jù běn HSK 5script; screenplay这部电影的剧本写得很好。zhè bù diàn yǐng de jù běn xiě de hěn hǎoThe script of this movie is well written.
- 漫画 màn huà HSK 5comic; cartoon; manga他最喜欢看日本漫画。tā zuì xǐ huān kàn rì běn màn huàHe likes reading Japanese manga the most.
- 戏剧 xì jù HSK 5drama; play; theater她大学时学的是戏剧专业。tā dà xué shí xué de shì xì jù zhuān yèShe majored in drama at university.
- 喜剧 xǐ jù HSK 5comedy我更喜欢看轻松的喜剧电影wǒ gèng xǐ huan kàn qīng sōng de xǐ jù diàn yǐngI prefer watching lighthearted comedy films.
- 诗歌 shī gē HSK 5poetry; poem他很喜欢朗诵古代诗歌。tā hěn xǐ huan lǎng sòng gǔ dài shī gēHe loves reciting ancient poetry.
- 题材 tí cái HSK 5subject matter; theme (of a work)这部电影的题材很新颖。zhè bù diàn yǐng de tí cái hěn xīn yǐngThe subject matter of this film is very novel.
- 文艺 wén yì HSK 5literature and art她很喜欢文艺方面的活动tā hěn xǐ huan wén yì fāng miàn de huó dòngShe really likes activities related to literature and art.
- 散文 sǎn wén HSK 5prose; essay她写的散文很有诗意。tā xiě de sǎn wén hěn yǒu shī yìThe prose she writes is very poetic.
- 相声 xiàng sheng HSK 5crosstalk (Chinese comic dialogue)我最喜欢听这两个人的相声。wǒ zuì xǐ huan tīng zhè liǎng ge rén de xiàng shengI most like listening to these two do crosstalk.
- 主角 zhǔ jué HSK 6leading role; protagonist这部电影的主角演得真好。zhè bù diàn yǐng de zhǔ jué yǎn de zhēn hǎoThe protagonist of this movie acts really well.
- 剧 jù HSK 6drama; play; theatrical work; severe我最近迷上了一部韩国电视剧。wǒ zuì jìn mí shàng le yí bù hán guó diàn shì jùLately I've become obsessed with a Korean TV drama.
- 戏曲 xì qǔ HSK 6traditional Chinese opera爷爷最爱看戏曲节目。yé ye zuì ài kàn xì qǔ jié mùGrandpa loves watching Chinese opera programs most of all.
- 动画 dòng huà HSK 6animation; cartoon这部动画的画面特别精美。zhè bù dòng huà de huà miàn tè bié jīng měiThe visuals of this animation are especially exquisite.
- 短片 duǎn piàn HSK 6short film; video clip他拍了一部关于环保的短片。tā pāi le yí bù guān yú huán bǎo de duǎn piànHe shot a short film about environmental protection.
- 工艺品 gōng yì pǐn HSK 5handicraft; handiwork; craftwork我买了一个漂亮的工艺品。wǒ mǎi le yí ge piào liang de gōng yì pǐnI bought a beautiful handicraft.
- 电影 diàn yǐng HSK 1movie; film我们去看电影吧wǒ men qù kàn diàn yǐng baLet's go watch a movie.
- 画 huà HSK 2to draw; to paint他很喜欢画小动物。tā hěn xǐ huan huà xiǎo dòng wùHe likes to draw small animals.
- 影片 yǐng piàn HSK 2film; movie; motion picture这部影片我看过两次。zhè bù yǐng piàn wǒ kàn guò liǎng cìI have watched this film twice.
- 画儿 huàr HSK 2picture; drawing; painting墙上挂着一幅画儿。qiáng shàng guà zhe yì fú huàrThere is a picture hanging on the wall.
- 电视剧 diàn shì jù HSK 3TV series; TV drama我最近在看一部电视剧。wǒ zuì jìn zài kàn yí bù diàn shì jùI've been watching a TV series lately.
- 连续剧 lián xù jù HSK 3TV series, serialized drama妈妈每晚都看连续剧。mā ma měi wǎn dōu kàn lián xù jùMom watches the TV series every night.
- 图画 tú huà HSK 3drawing, picture墙上挂着一幅图画。qiáng shàng guà zhe yì fú tú huàA picture is hanging on the wall.
- 书法 shū fǎ HSK 5calligraphy; penmanship他的书法写得非常漂亮。tā de shū fǎ xiě de fēi cháng piào liangHis calligraphy is written beautifully.
- 影迷 yǐng mí HSK 6film fan; movie buff他是个不折不扣的影迷。tā shì ge bù zhé bú kòu de yǐng míHe is an out-and-out movie buff.
- 影星 yǐng xīng HSK 6film star; movie star她从小就梦想成为一名影星。tā cóng xiǎo jiù mèng xiǎng chéng wéi yì míng yǐng xīngSince childhood she has dreamed of becoming a movie star.
- 绘画 huì huà HSK 6painting; drawing; to paint他从小就对绘画很感兴趣。tā cóngxiǎo jiù duì huì huà hěn gǎn xìngqùHe has been interested in painting since childhood.
- 风格 fēng gé HSK 4style我很喜欢这位画家的风格。wǒ hěn xǐ huan zhè wèi huà jiā de fēng géI really like this painter's style.
- 造型 zào xíng HSK 4style; look; modeling; design她今天的造型特别时尚。tā jīn tiān de zào xíng tè bié shí shàngHer look today is especially stylish.
- 高潮 gāo cháo HSK 4climax; peak; upsurge; high tide电影的高潮让人很紧张。diàn yǐng de gāo cháo ràng rén hěn jǐn zhāngThe climax of the movie is very tense.
- 图案 tú àn HSK 4design; pattern这件衣服的图案很漂亮。zhè jiàn yī fu de tú àn hěn piào liangThe pattern on this piece of clothing is beautiful.
- 古典 gǔ diǎn HSK 6classical她特别喜欢听古典音乐。tā tè bié xǐ huān tīng gǔ diǎn yīn yuèShe especially likes listening to classical music.
FAQ
How many Chinese arts & literature words are in this list?
70 words, including HSK 1: 1, HSK 2: 6, HSK 3: 19, HSK 4: 15, HSK 5: 17, HSK 6: 12. Every word has playable native audio and example sentences.
Are these words useful for the HSK?
Yes — every word is tagged with its HSK level (HSK 1–6 or 7+), so you can prioritise words for your target level.
What is the best way to memorise them?
Learn them as a scene group with spaced repetition: listen and repeat, study the example sentence, review the next day. The companion app has built-in SRS and four quiz types.