Meaning
剧场 refers to a physical venue or building where theatrical performances, plays, operas, and other stage productions take place. It encompasses both the performance space and the audience seating area. The term is used for dedicated theater buildings as opposed to movie theaters (电影院).
Usage
This word specifically refers to live performance venues. When talking about movie theaters, Chinese uses 电影院 instead. 剧场 is commonly used in formal contexts and can refer to various sizes of performance venues, from small playhouses to large opera houses. It often appears in compound names of specific theaters.
Examples
- 01这座剧场可以容纳两千名观众。.This theater can accommodate two thousand audience members.
- 02我们今晚去剧场看话剧吧。.Let's go to the theater to watch a play tonight.
Characters
Measure words
- 个一个剧场
- 座一座剧场
Common collocations
- 去剧场to go to the theater
- 剧场演出theater performance
- 话剧剧场drama theater
- 音乐剧场musical theater
Origin
The word combines 剧 (drama/play) with 场 (venue/place), literally meaning 'drama place' or 'performance venue'. This straightforward compound reflects the function of the building.