Culture & Etiquette

1. 評彈

   bin6 de6

   Pingtan

   Usage

   Storytelling with song and string accompaniment from the Suzhou and Shanghai region, often heard in teahouses

   Grammar Note

   評彈 is a Mandarin-origin name read with Shanghainese character readings. The art comes from Suzhou and is also performed in Shanghai.

2. 滬劇

   wu6 jiq8

   Shanghai opera

   Usage

   The local opera of Shanghai, performed in Shanghainese

   Grammar Note

   滬 is a short name for Shanghai.

3. 越劇

   yoq8 jiq8

   Yue opera

   Usage

   An opera from the Shaoxing area, popular in Shanghai, often with all-female casts

4. 滑稽戲

   waq8 ci1 shi5

   Shanghai comic theatre

   Usage

   A comic theatre form in Shanghainese, built on funny banter

   Grammar Note

   滑稽戲 is a Mandarin-origin name read with Shanghainese character readings.

5. 獨腳戲

   doq8 ciaq7 shi5

   Dujiaoxi (Shanghai stand-up comedy)

   Usage

   Stand-up comedy in Shanghainese by one or two performers, the root of Shanghai comic theatre

   Grammar Note

   獨腳戲 is a Mandarin-origin name read with Shanghainese character readings.

6. 昆劇

   khuen1 jiq8

   Kunqu opera

   Usage

   One of the oldest Chinese operas, from Kunshan near Suzhou, with slow, graceful singing

   Grammar Note

   昆劇 is a Mandarin-origin name read with Shanghainese character readings.

7. 京劇

   cin1 jiq8

   Peking opera

   Usage

   The costumed and face-painted opera from Beijing, also staged in Shanghai theatres

   Grammar Note

   京劇 is a Mandarin-origin name read with Shanghainese character readings.

8. 海派

   he5 pha5

   Haipai (Shanghai style)

   Usage

   Shanghai's own blend of East and West, used for architecture, clothes and food

9. 石庫門

   zaq8 khu1 men6

   Shikumen

   Usage

   The stone-gated lane houses unique to Shanghai, seen at Xintiandi and elsewhere

   Grammar Note

   石庫門 is a Mandarin-origin name read with Shanghainese character readings. A style mixing Chinese courtyard houses with Western terraced houses.

10. 弄堂

    lon6 daon6

    Longtang (lane)

    Usage

    A narrow Shanghai lane between rows of shikumen houses

11. 旗袍

    ji6 bau6

    Qipao

    Usage

    The close-fitting long Chinese dress, popularised in Shanghai

12. 上海閒話

    zaon6 he5 ghe6 gho6

    Shanghainese (the language)

    Usage

    The Wu language spoken in Shanghai; 閒話 means "speech, talk"

    Grammar Note

    In Shanghainese, "speech, language" is said 閒話.

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