Pingshu
/ˈpɪŋˌʃuː/noun
A traditional Chinese form of oral storytelling in which a performer narrates and often comments on historical or fictional tales.
Did you know?Pingshu performers traditionally used a fan and a wooden clapper as symbolic props, helping transform historical epics and legendary heroes into an almost ritual spoken performance.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
書 (*s-ta)
“Writing, written text, or book; the historical root of Mandarin shū.”
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese
評書
“評 meant to assess or comment on something, while 書 meant a written text or book.”
Qing Dynasty
Chinese
評書 (píngshū)
“A recognized genre of professional oral narration, especially stories about history, warfare, and legendary figures.”
20th Century
Mandarin
评书 (píngshū)
“A major Chinese storytelling tradition performed before live audiences and later broadcast on radio.”
Modern English
English
pingshu
“An English transliteration used for the Chinese oral storytelling tradition.”