Tragedy refers to a profoundly sad and unfortunate event, often with devastating consequences.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A sad and unfortunate event or outcome.
- Common in literature, drama, and real life.
- Evokes feelings of sorrow and loss.
Overview
“悲剧”（bēijù）在中文里是一个形容不幸和令人伤感的词语，通常指代那些结局非常糟糕、令人遗憾的事件。它不仅可以指代文学或戏剧作品中的一种体裁，也可以泛指现实生活中发生的各种令人痛心疾首的遭遇。悲剧的核心在于其带来的巨大失落感、痛苦以及无法挽回的后果。
“悲剧”一词的使用非常广泛。在文学和艺术领域，它指代一种以严肃主题、悲惨结局和深刻寓意为特征的戏剧或叙事形式，如古希腊悲剧或莎士比亚的悲剧作品。在日常生活中，“悲剧”常用来形容突发的、不幸的事件，例如意外事故、疾病、人生的重大挫折等，强调其带来的负面影响和情感冲击。有时，它也被用来带点夸张地形容一些令人啼笑皆非但又有些同情的倒霉遭遇。
日常对话：形容令人遗憾或倒霉的事情。
“惨剧”与“悲剧”非常接近，都强调事件的悲惨和令人痛苦的性质，但“惨剧”可能更侧重于场面的惨烈和血腥，或者事件的残酷性。
“不幸”比“悲剧”更宽泛，可以指代任何不幸运的事情，不一定达到“悲剧”那样严重的程度。悲剧通常包含不幸，但并非所有不幸都是悲剧。
“灾难”侧重于大规模的、破坏性的不幸事件，如自然灾害或战争，其影响范围广，破坏性强。“悲剧”可以是个人的，也可以是集体的，但“灾难”通常指向更宏大的不幸。
Examples
他的人生经历充满了悲剧色彩。
everydayHis life experiences are full of tragic elements.
这部戏剧深刻地探讨了命运的无常和人生的悲剧。
academicThis play profoundly explores the impermanence of fate and the tragedy of life.
由于管理不善，这家公司最终走向了倒闭的悲剧。
formalDue to poor management, the company ultimately headed towards the tragedy of bankruptcy.
天呐，他居然把我的车给撞了，真是个悲剧！
informalOh my god, he actually crashed my car! What a tragedy!
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
人生是一场悲剧
Life is a tragedy
制造悲剧
to create a tragedy
避免悲剧
to avoid tragedy
Often Confused With
Comedy ('喜剧') is the direct antonym of tragedy ('悲剧'). While tragedy focuses on sorrowful events and unhappy endings, comedy aims to amuse with humorous situations and usually has a happy resolution.
'惨剧' is very similar to '悲剧' and often interchangeable. However, '惨剧' might emphasize the gruesome or brutal aspects of an event more strongly than '悲剧', focusing on the sheer horror or suffering involved.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term '悲剧' is used in both formal and informal contexts. In formal settings, it often refers to literary genres or significant historical/societal events. In informal conversation, it can be used more broadly, sometimes hyperbolically, to describe unfortunate personal experiences or mishaps.
Common Mistakes
Avoid using '悲剧' for very minor inconveniences, as it can sound overly dramatic or insensitive. Ensure the context truly warrants the strong negative emotion associated with the word.
Tips
Understand the emotional weight
Recognize that '悲剧' carries a strong sense of sorrow, loss, and often finality. It's not just a bad event, but one that deeply affects those involved.
Avoid overuse in casual talk
While sometimes used hyperbolically, overuse of '悲剧' for minor inconveniences can diminish its impact and sound overly dramatic or insensitive.
Ancient Greek roots influence
The concept of tragedy in Chinese literature and thought shares similarities with ancient Greek tragedy, focusing on fate, human flaws, and inevitable suffering.
Word Origin
The word '悲剧' (bēijù) is a direct translation of the English word 'tragedy'. It combines '悲' (bēi), meaning 'sad' or 'sorrowful', and '剧' (jù), meaning 'drama' or 'play'. This reflects its dual meaning as both a literary genre and a type of unfortunate event.
Cultural Context
Tragedy, as a concept, has a long history in Chinese literature and philosophy, often exploring themes of fate, suffering, and the human condition, resonating with universal experiences of loss and sorrow.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'tragic' character named 'Bei' who always experiences sad events. 'Bei's Ju' (tragedy) is a constant reminder of misfortune.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“悲剧”通常以不幸的结局和严肃的主题为特征，引人深思和哀伤。而“喜剧”则以幽默、滑稽的情节和圆满的结局为特点，旨在逗人发笑。
在日常口语中，“悲剧”有时可以用来形容一些虽然不至于造成重大损失，但却令人感到非常遗憾、倒霉或哭笑不得的事情，带有一定的夸张意味。
不是的。“悲剧”既可以指文学和戏剧中的一种体裁，也可以泛指现实生活中发生的各种令人痛心疾首的不幸事件。
是的，悲剧的核心特征就是其不幸的、令人悲伤的结局，通常伴随着重大的损失或痛苦。
Test Yourself
那场突如其来的地震夺走了许多人的生命，是一场巨大的______。
句意描述的是一场造成生命损失的重大不幸事件，用“悲剧”最恰当。
下列哪个选项最符合“悲剧”的定义？
选项三描述了一个不幸的、带来重大损失的事件，符合悲剧的定义。
用“悲剧”和“人生”来描述一个不幸的结局。
这个句子将“人生”和“悲剧”结合，并用“结局令人唏嘘”来强调其不幸的性质。
Score: /3
Summary
Tragedy refers to a profoundly sad and unfortunate event, often with devastating consequences.
- A sad and unfortunate event or outcome.
- Common in literature, drama, and real life.
- Evokes feelings of sorrow and loss.
Understand the emotional weight
Recognize that '悲剧' carries a strong sense of sorrow, loss, and often finality. It's not just a bad event, but one that deeply affects those involved.
Avoid overuse in casual talk
While sometimes used hyperbolically, overuse of '悲剧' for minor inconveniences can diminish its impact and sound overly dramatic or insensitive.
Ancient Greek roots influence
The concept of tragedy in Chinese literature and thought shares similarities with ancient Greek tragedy, focusing on fate, human flaws, and inevitable suffering.
Examples
4 of 4他的人生经历充满了悲剧色彩。
His life experiences are full of tragic elements.
这部戏剧深刻地探讨了命运的无常和人生的悲剧。
This play profoundly explores the impermanence of fate and the tragedy of life.
由于管理不善，这家公司最终走向了倒闭的悲剧。
Due to poor management, the company ultimately headed towards the tragedy of bankruptcy.
天呐，他居然把我的车给撞了，真是个悲剧！
Oh my god, he actually crashed my car! What a tragedy!
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
