连续剧 (lián xù jù)

noun HSK 4

Traditional 連續劇

lián xù jù

TV series · serial drama · soap opera

Meaning

连续剧 refers to a television drama or series that tells a story across multiple episodes in sequence. Unlike standalone shows, each episode continues the narrative from the previous one, with ongoing character development and plotlines. The term is commonly used throughout Chinese-speaking regions for any serialized television drama.

Usage

This is the standard term for TV series in Mandarin Chinese. It's used in everyday conversation when discussing television shows. Shorter spoken forms include 电视剧 (diànshìjù) for TV drama in general, or simply 剧 (jù) when context is clear. Chinese people often ask 你最近在看什么连续剧？(What TV series are you watching lately?) as casual conversation.

Examples

01
这部连续剧一共有四十集。
Zhè bù lián xù jù yīgòng yǒu sìshí jí.
This TV series has forty episodes in total.
02
我最近在追一部韩国连续剧。
Wǒ zuìjìn zài zhuī yī bù Hánguó lián xù jù.
I'm currently following a Korean drama series.

Characters

Measure words

部bù一部连续剧
集jí三十集连续剧

Common collocations

看连续剧
kàn lián xù jù
to watch a TV series
热播连续剧
rè bō lián xù jù
hit TV series, popular series
追连续剧
zhuī lián xù jù
to follow a TV series
一部连续剧
yī bù lián xù jù
a TV series

Origin

The word combines 连续 (continuous, consecutive) with 剧 (drama/play), literally meaning 'continuous drama.' The term emerged in the mid-20th century as television became popular in Chinese-speaking regions.