序幕 (xù mù) — prologue, prelude | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

序幕 is the opening section of a performance, event, or larger course — often used figuratively for a 'prelude' to something bigger. Unlike 序言 (the written preface of a book), it belongs to stage and events, not text.

noun

prologueprelude

Easily confused

畜牧xù mùsound-alikeanimal husbandry; livestock farming

Examples

序幕。
Zhè bù huà jù de xù mù fēi cháng gǎn rén.
The prologue of this play is very touching.
序幕。
Zhè cì huì yì lā kāi le gǎi gé de xù mù.
This meeting opened the prologue to reform.
序幕。
Nà chǎng tǎo lùn bú guò shì zhàn zhēng de xù mù.
That discussion was merely the prelude to war.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

序xùbeginning

幕mùcurtain

The 序 marks the beginning and the 幕 is a stage curtain or act, so the sense is an opening before the main action.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

广予序

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

予

予yǔ序xù

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

序 combines 广 and 予; 予 gives the sound, while 广 marks the meaning.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

莫巾幕

Meaning part形符xíngfú

巾巾jīncloth

Sound part声符shēngfú

莫

莫mò幕mù

Same sound today

幕 combines 莫 above 巾 (cloth); 莫 gives the sound.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Literature & Poetry

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