theatrical
theatrical — 形容詞
1. having to do with the theatre world — the buildings, performances, workers, and
劇院的
與戲劇或劇場有關的
having to do with the theatre world — the buildings, performances, workers, and creative work that are part of putting on live plays and shows.
Reuben works backstage at the city's main theatrical venue, helping with lighting and set changes.
Reuben 在這座城市的主要劇院場地負責幕後工作，協助燈光與佈景更換。
attributive: theatrical + venue
Soraya's theatrical training began when she joined a youth drama group at age twelve.
Soraya 從十二歲開始接受劇場訓練，加入了家鄉的青少年戲劇團。
attributive: theatrical + training
The museum's new exhibition displays original costumes from famous theatrical productions around the world.
博物館的新展覽展出世界各地著名劇場作品的原創服裝。
Yuna wrote her first theatrical script for a school competition and won first prize.
Yuna 為學校比賽寫了第一個劇本，並贏得了一等獎。
The theatrical experience of a live show is very different from watching a recorded play on a screen.
現場演出的劇場體驗，與在螢幕上觀看錄製的戲劇截然不同。
- dramatic
overlaps in meaning but 'dramatic' is broader and can also mean 'sudden and striking'
- stage
used as an adjective only before nouns ('stage production'), not as a general descriptive adjective
- performing-arts
broader; includes dance and music, not just theatre
文法句型
theatrical + noun
be + theatrical
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'theatrical'. It is used attributively before nouns such as 'production', 'company', 'experience', 'tradition', and 'performance'.
常見錯誤
2. relating to the showing of a film in a cinema as opposed to on television, strea
電影院的
在電影院上映或發生的
relating to the showing of a film in a cinema as opposed to on television, streaming services, or DVD.
The film had an impressive theatrical release across more than three thousand screens nationwide.
這部電影在全國超過三千個銀幕盛大上映，場面驚人。
collocation: theatrical release
Diya prefers watching movies at home rather than dealing with the crowds at a theatrical showing.
Diya 寧可在家看電影，也不想去電影院擠在人群中。
collocation: theatrical showing
The theatrical version of the film runs two hours, while the director's cut is much longer.
這部電影的電影院版本片長兩小時，導演的加長版則長得多。
Esteban works as a projectionist and has seen every theatrical screening this month.
Esteban 擔任放映師，這個月每一場電影院放映他都看過了。
Rin waited for the theatrical run to end before watching the film on a streaming platform.
Rin 等到電影院檔期結束後，才在串流平台上觀看這部電影。
- cinema
used as a modifier only in limited phrases like 'cinema release'; less common as an adjective
- home-video
refers to DVD, Blu-ray, or streaming distribution
文法句型
theatrical + noun (release, version, run, showing)
用法筆記
Used to distinguish a cinema-based release from direct-to-video, streaming, or television broadcasts. Common in the film industry in phrases like 'theatrical release', 'theatrical cut', and 'theatrical window'.
常見錯誤
3. describing someone who acts in an exaggerated, staged manner as if performing on
誇張的
刻意誇大以引人注意的
describing someone who acts in an exaggerated, staged manner as if performing on stage, doing so to draw notice rather than to show sincere feeling — for example, letting out a loud gasp when hearing ordinary news, or making a dramatic exit from a room over a small disagreement.
Sivan let out a theatrical gasp when she heard the news, though no one believed she was truly surprised.
Sivan 聽到消息時誇張地倒抽一口氣，但沒人相信她真的感到驚訝。
attributive: theatrical + gasp
Christopher's theatrical apology, complete with dramatic gestures, only made his boss more annoyed.
Christopher 誇張的道歉配上戲劇性的手勢，只讓他的老闆更加惱火。
Kian rolled his eyes at his brother's theatrical complaints about having to wash a few dishes.
Kian 對哥哥因為要洗幾個碗就誇張抱怨翻了個白眼。
Inês gave a theatrical sigh and slumped into her chair when the Wi-Fi stopped working for a moment.
Inês 誇張地嘆了口氣，癱進椅子裡——只是因為 Wi-Fi 暫時斷了。
Jack thought the politician's theatrical speech was designed more for cameras than for the people in the room.
Jack 認為那名政治人物誇張的演說與其說是講給在場的人聽，不如說是做給鏡頭看的。
- dramatic
less negative; can describe genuine strong emotions as well as fake ones
- melodramatic
stronger negative tone; suggests over-the-top emotion like in a melodrama
- histrionic
formal and highly negative; suggests attention-seeking in a pathological way
- over-the-top
very informal; broader in meaning, not limited to emotional display
- understated
the opposite of exaggerated; restrained and subtle
- natural
not forced or artificial in manner
文法句型
be + theatrical
theatrical + noun (gesture, sigh, gasp, apology)
用法筆記
Often carries a negative or critical tone. Common with nouns describing reactions: 'gasp', 'sigh', 'apology', 'gesture', 'speech', 'outburst'. Distinguish from sense 1 (THEATRE) — if you can replace 'theatrical' with 'exaggerated' or 'dramatic for show', this is the right sense.
常見錯誤
theatrical — 名詞
1. the activity or business of producing and performing plays, especially as done b
戲劇演出
戲劇的表演或製作
the activity or business of producing and performing plays, especially as done by amateur groups or in educational settings.
The local community centre puts on amateur theatricals every summer, and anyone can join the cast.
當地社區中心每年夏天都會舉辦业余戲劇演出，任何人都可以參與。
collocation: amateur theatricals
Soraya's love of theatricals began when her grandmother took her to see a Shakespeare play at age nine.
Soraya 對戲劇演出的熱愛始於九歲時外婆帶她去看莎翁劇作。
The college's theatrical society produces three major shows during the academic year.
該學院的戲劇社團每個學年會推出三部大型作品。
Reuben wrote a positive review of the school theatricals for the student newspaper.
Reuben 為學生報寫了一篇關於學校戲劇演出的正面評論。
- drama
broader; can refer to the art form, a genre, or a tense situation
- stage production
more formal and specific to professional theatre
文法句型
put on + theatricals
amateur theatricals
school theatricals
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the plural form 'theatricals' (e.g. 'amateur theatricals', 'school theatricals'). The singular form is rare in this sense. Compare with noun sense 2 (DRAMATICS), which refers to exaggerated behavior rather than actual stage productions.
常見錯誤
2. exaggerated, emotional behavior that is intended to attract attention or create
誇張舉止
刻意引人注意的誇張行為
exaggerated, emotional behavior that is intended to attract attention or create a dramatic effect, especially over minor matters.
Diya's constant theatricals at work — storming out of meetings and slamming doors — have made her unpopular with colleagues.
Diya 在辦公室裡動輒甩門離席的誇張舉止，讓她在同事間很不受歡迎。
plural form: theatricals
Minh's theatricals during the argument, complete with tears and dramatic pauses, made everyone feel awkward.
Minh 在爭論中的誇張舉止——又是流淚又是刻意停頓——讓大家都覺得很尷尬。
Kian told his younger sister to stop her theatricals and explain calmly what was wrong.
Kian 叫妹妹別再那麼誇張，好好說清楚是怎麼回事。
After Aiko's theatricals at the wedding reception, the host decided not to invite her to future parties.
Aiko 在婚宴上的誇張舉止讓主人決定以後不再邀請她參加聚會。
- dramatics
nearly identical in meaning; also used in plural with negative tone
- antics
broader; can include silly or playful behavior, not just emotional displays
- histrionics
more formal and strongly negative; suggests overacting
文法句型
possessor + theatricals
stop + the + theatricals
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural 'theatricals' with a disapproving tone. Differs from adjective sense 3 (OVERDRAMATIC): the noun form treats the behavior as a thing ('his theatricals'), while the adjective describes the behavior itself ('his theatrical behaviour').
常見錯誤
3. a person whose profession is acting on stage or in films.
演員
職業舞台或電影演員
a person whose profession is acting on stage or in films.
Esteban worked as a theatrical in London for fifteen years before moving into television drama.
Esteban 在倫敦當了十五年的舞台演員，之後才轉入電視戲劇領域。
countable noun: a theatrical
Inês trained as a theatrical at a prestigious drama school and later performed in major productions.
Inês 在一所著名戲劇學校接受演員訓練，後來在大製作中登台演出。
The veteran theatrical took a final bow as the audience gave a standing ovation at the end of the show.
那位資深演員在演出結束時最後一次鞠躬謝幕，全場觀眾起立鼓掌。
Some older residents still refer to local performers as 'theatricals', a term that sounds old-fashioned today.
有些年長居民仍稱當地表演者為「theatricals」，這個詞在現代聽起來已經過時了。
文法句型
a/the + theatrical
用法筆記
Now somewhat dated. 'Actor', 'actress', or 'performer' is far more common in everyday English. This noun form survives mainly in historical or formal writing about the theatre profession.
常見錯誤
4. actions, decorations, or displays that are showy and extravagant, done to impres
浮華作風
奢華誇張以引人注目的作風
actions, decorations, or displays that are showy and extravagant, done to impress people rather than for any practical or sincere purpose.
Rin decorated her apartment with theatrical flair — gold curtains, velvet cushions, and a crystal chandelier.
Rin 以浮華的風格布置她的公寓——金色窗簾、天鵝絨靠墊和水晶吊燈。
uncountable noun: theatrical + flair
Christopher dismissed the politician's promises as empty theatricals designed to win votes.
Christopher 認為那名政治人物的承諾只是為了拉票的空洞浮華作秀。
collocation: empty theatricals
The wedding had all the theatricals of a royal ceremony, including a horse-drawn carriage and fireworks.
那場婚禮具備了皇室儀式般的一切浮華排場，包括馬車和煙火。
The charity gala was full of theatricals — a red carpet, spotlights, and champagne fountains — but raised very little money.
那場慈善晚會充滿了浮華排場——紅地毯、聚光燈和香檳噴泉——但募到的善款非常少。
- pageantry
more neutral; suggests impressive ceremony rather than fake display
- pomp
formal; suggests ceremony and splendid display, often with a critical tone
- showmanship
neutral or positive; skill at presenting things in an exciting way
- simplicity
lack of ornamentation or showiness
文法句型
empty theatricals
mere theatricals
possessor + theatricals
用法筆記
Typically used in the plural 'theatricals' with a critical or dismissive tone. Often paired with 'empty', 'mere', or 'just' to emphasize lack of substance. The singular uncountable form ('theatrical flair/style') describes extravagant decoration rather than behavior.