该剧 (gāi jù) — this play; the play (in question)

Definition

该剧 is a formal written phrase meaning 'this play / the play in question', typically used in reviews, news, or literary commentary. 该 functions as a formal determiner ('the said…'), more bookish than 这.

pronoun
this playthe play (in question)
Measure word · 部

Examples

  • 该剧。
    gāi jù Zài gè dà shì pín píng tái tóng bù bō chū.
    This play is simulcast on all major video platforms.
  • 该剧。
    gāi jù Gǎi biān zì yí bù zhī míng xiǎo shuō.
    The play is adapted from a well-known novel.
  • 该剧。
    Guān zhòng duì gāi jù de jié jú yì lùn fēn fēn.
    Audiences have a lot to say about the ending of this play.

Origin

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 該; 该 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
言言yán
Sound part声符shēngfú
亥
亥hài該gāi
Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 該 pairs 言 (speech) with 亥 as a sound part; the simplified 该 is a shorthand, so its parts are not the historical components.

Open 该 →

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

This origin belongs to the traditional form 劇; 剧 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
刀刀dāoknife
Sound part声符shēngfú
豦
豦jù劇jù
Same sound today

The traditional form 劇 pairs 豦, which gives the sound, with 刀, a knife; the simplified 剧 is a later shorthand.

Open 剧 →

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