Xiqu
/ˈʃiː.tʃuː/noun
A collective term for traditional Chinese theatrical genres combining singing, acting, music, dance, and stylized movement.
Did you know?Many xiqu traditions use codified gestures—such as a circular hand motion to represent opening a door—so performers can create entire spaces without realistic scenery.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Chinese
Chinese
戲曲
“A combined term for dramatic performance and musical or song forms”
Medieval China
Chinese
戲
“Play, entertainment, drama, or theatrical performance”
Medieval China
Chinese
曲
“Song, tune, or musical composition”
20th Century
Mandarin
xìqǔ
“Pinyin romanization of 戲曲, the traditional Chinese theater tradition”
Modern English
English
xiqu
“A scholarly and cultural term for traditional Chinese musical theater”