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March 24, 2026
片段()piànduàn(pian4duan4)
片段 refers to a fragment or excerpt, often used in literary or conversational contexts. It can describe a specific part of a text, a scene from a story, or even a brief segment of speech, highlighting its incomplete or partial nature.
Frequency#6373DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and films, 片段 is often used to discuss dramatic scenes or pivotal moments that significantly impact the story, reflecting the importance of 'moments' in storytelling.
Memory Tip
Think of 片段 as a 'piece' of something. The character 片 (pian4) resembles a slice or fragment, while 段 (duan4) can remind you of a 'segment' or 'section.' Picture slicing a cake into pieces, where each slice represents a 片段.
Meanings of 片段
piànduàn(pian4duan4)
1fragment (of speech etc)
2extract (from book etc)
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About 片段
片段Simplified
Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 片段
Podcast: 片段
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AI Study Notes for 片段
Quick Contrast
节选 (jiéxuǎn) vs 片段 (piànduàn): use 节选 when emphasizing a selected excerpt from a larger work, whereas 片段 highlights a fragment that may not be formally chosen.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 片段 as a 'piece' of something. The character 片 (pian4) resembles a slice or fragment, while 段 (duan4) can remind you of a 'segment' or 'section.' Picture slicing a cake into pieces, where each slice represents a 片段.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 片段 with 整体 (zheng3 ti3), which means 'whole' or 'entirety.' It is more commonly used in informal contexts, such as discussing movies or books. Common collocations include 片段视频 (video clip) and 文章片段 (excerpt from an article).
HSK Study Tips
While 片段 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it connects to themes of literature and communication found in lower HSK levels. Focus on recognizing its components and using it in context to describe parts of texts or conversations.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and films, 片段 is often used to discuss dramatic scenes or pivotal moments that significantly impact the story, reflecting the importance of 'moments' in storytelling.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 片段 when they mean 'whole' or 'complete.' For example, saying '我有一个完整的片段' ('I have a complete fragment') is contradictory. Instead, say '我有一个完整的故事' ('I have a complete story').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 片段
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Cultural Notes for 片段
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature and films, 片段 is often used to discuss dramatic scenes or pivotal moments that significantly impact the story, reflecting the importance of 'moments' in storytelling.
Frequently Asked Questions about 片段
Yes, you can refer to a fragment of a song or a music clip as 片段.
No, it can also apply to spoken language, video clips, and scenes in films.
片段 is more about fragments or clips, while 节选 refers specifically to excerpts or selections, often from written works.
