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道具 (dào jù) — prop (in theater or film); item (in a game, RPG or video game)

Definition

道具 refers to a specific object used in a performance (theater, film) or in a game. Unlike the general 器具 ('tool, utensil'), a 道具 is decorative or functional only within that context, not for everyday use.

noun
prop (in theater or film)item (in a game, RPG or video game)
Measure word · 件

Examples

  • 道具。
    Dǎo yǎn ràng rén zhǔn bèi xià yì chǎng xì xū yào de dào jù.
    The director had people prepare the props needed for the next scene.
  • 道具。
    Zhè ge yóu xì lǐ de tè shū dào jù kě yǐ bāng zhù wán jiā kuài sù shēng jí.
    The special items in this game can help players level up quickly.
  • 道具。
    Wǔ tái jù de dào jù bì xū zuò dé bī zhēn cái néng ràng guān zhòng xìn fú.
    Stage play props must be made realistically to convince the audience.

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.

道dàoway
具jùtool

道具 blends 道 (way) and 具 (tool), originally implements for a way, now performance props.

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.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
行行xíngstreet
止止zhǐfoot
Sound part声符shēngfú
𩠐
首shǒu道dào
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

Early 道 showed a street 行, a foot 止, and a part written 首 or 𩠐; the right part of 行 later disappeared.

Open 道 →

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

具 pairs 廾 (two hands) with 鼎 (a cauldron), showing hands working with a cauldron to prepare food.

Open 具 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Film & Theater

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