Usage note
戏可以指表演的故事，比如京剧、话剧，或者小朋友玩的游戏。
Xì kěyǐ zhǐ biǎoyǎn de gùshì, bǐrú jīngjù, huàjù, huòzhě xiǎo péngyǒu wán de yóuxì.
Play can refer to a performed story, like Beijing opera or drama, or a game that children play.
Context note
在学校里，我们演了一出戏，扮演小动物，大家都很开心。
Zài xuéxiào lǐ, wǒmen yǎn le yī chū xì, bànyǎn xiǎo dòngwù, dàjiā dōu hěn kāixīn.
At school, we performed a play, acting as little animals, and everyone was very happy.
5 examples
我们班要演一出关于友谊的戏。
wǒ men bān yào yǎn yì chū guān yú yǒu yì de xì。
Our class is going to perform a play about friendship.
爷爷喜欢看京剧，那是一种传统的戏。
yé ye xǐ huan kàn jīng jù， nà shì yì zhǒng chuán tǒng de xì。
Grandpa likes to watch Beijing opera, which is a traditional play.
小朋友在操场上玩戏，假装是超人。
xiǎo péng yǒu zài cāo chǎng shàng wán xì， jiǎ zhuāng shì chāo rén。
The children are playing a game on the playground, pretending to be superheroes.
老师让我们写一个关于春天的戏。
lǎo shī ràng wǒ men xiě yí gè guān yú chūn tiān de xì。
The teacher asks us to write a play about spring.
看戏的时候，我们要安静坐好。
kàn xì de shí hòu， wǒ men yào ān jìng zuò hǎo。
When watching a play, we need to sit quietly.
5 mini stories
小红和朋友们在公园里玩戏。他们假装是医生和病人。
xiǎo hóng hé péng yǒu men zài gōng yuán lǐ wán xì。 tā men jiǎ zhuāng shì yī shēng hé bìng rén。
Xiaohong and her friends play a game in the park. They pretend to be doctors and patients.
学校举办戏剧节，小明演了一出关于帮助别人的戏。大家都鼓掌。
xué xiào jǔ bàn xì jù jié， xiǎo míng yǎn le yì chū guān yú bāng zhù bié rén de xì。 dà jiā dōu gǔ zhǎng。
The school holds a drama festival, and Xiaoming performs a play about helping others. Everyone applauds.
奶奶带小华去看戏。戏里的小兔子很可爱。
nǎi nai dài xiǎo huá qù kàn xì。 xì lǐ de xiǎo tù zi hěn kě ài。
Grandma takes Xiaohua to watch a play. The little rabbit in the play is very cute.
小强在课堂上演戏，扮演一棵大树。他站得很直。
xiǎo qiáng zài kè táng shàng yǎn xì， bàn yǎn yì kē dà shù。 tā zhàn dé hěn zhí。
Xiaoqiang performs a play in class, acting as a big tree. He stands very straight.
孩子们在生日派对上玩戏。他们轮流当国王和公主。
hái zi men zài shēng rì pài duì shàng wán xì。 tā men lún liú dāng guó wáng hé gōng zhǔ。
The children play a game at the birthday party. They take turns being the king and princess.
Mini dialogue
看戏
A
你周末打算做什么？
Nǐ zhōumò dǎsuàn zuò shénme?
What do you plan to do this weekend?
B
我想去看戏。
Wǒ xiǎng qù kàn xì.
I want to go see a play.
儿童戏
A
这个戏适合小朋友看吗？
Zhège xì shìhé xiǎopéngyǒu kàn ma?
Is this play suitable for children?
B
适合，是专门为儿童演的戏。
Shìhé, shì zhuānmén wèi értóng yǎn de xì.
Yes, it's a play specially performed for children.
Related words and contrasts
similar
戏剧
xìjù
drama, play
戏剧 is the full word for drama; 戏 is the short form.
contrast
游戏
yóuxì
game
游戏 means game, not a theatrical play.