Keywords: qingjing meaning, 情景 Chinese, what is qingjing, Chinese word for context, Chinese word for scene, situational context in Chinese, 情景 vs 场景, 情景 vs 情况, learning Chinese, HSK 5 vocabulary.
Summary: Discover the meaning of 情景 (qíngjǐng), a versatile Chinese word that beautifully combines “emotion” and “scenery” to mean scene, situation, or context. Unlike the English “scene,” `qíngjǐng` emphasizes the emotional atmosphere and specific circumstances of an event. This page breaks down its characters, cultural significance, and practical use in everything from describing a movie to discussing a business scenario, helping you master this essential HSK 5 term.
Core Meaning
Pinyin (with tone marks): qíngjǐng
Part of Speech: Noun
HSK Level: HSK 5
Concise Definition: A scene, situation, or the specific circumstances and atmosphere of an event.
In a Nutshell: Think of `情景` as a “scene with feeling.” It's not just what you see, but the entire emotional package that comes with it. It’s the difference between describing the physical layout of a room (`场景 chǎngjǐng`) and describing the warm, nostalgic feeling of being in that room filled with family (`情景 qíngjǐng`). It captures the mood, the context, and the visual elements all in one word.
Character Breakdown
情 (qíng): This character means “feeling,” “emotion,” or “sentiment.” It's made up of the heart radical (忄) on the left, indicating it's related to feelings, and 青 (qīng) on the right, which provides the sound and can mean “blue/green” or “youth,” poetically suggesting the raw, pure nature of emotions.
景 (jǐng): This character means “scenery,” “view,” or “sight.” It's composed of 日 (rì), the sun, at the top, and 京 (jīng), the capital city, at the bottom. The original picture was of a tall tower in the capital, offering a grand view illuminated by the sun.
When combined, 情 (emotion) + 景 (scenery) create 情景 (qíngjǐng), a word that perfectly describes a view or situation imbued with a specific emotional quality. It's the “emotional landscape” of a moment.
Cultural Context and Significance
`情景` reveals a key aspect of Chinese communication: the high value placed on context and atmosphere (`气氛 qìfēn`). In many Western cultures, communication can be very direct and literal. In Chinese culture, the setting, the mood, and the unstated feelings are often just as important as the words being spoken.
Comparison to “Situation”: The English word “situation” is a broad, often neutral term (e.g., “a financial situation,” “a difficult situation”). `情景`, however, is more sensory and evocative. It invites you to picture the scene and feel the emotions associated with it. When a Chinese person describes a `情景`, they are not just reporting facts; they are painting a picture and sharing an experience. This emphasis on shared feeling and context is a cornerstone of a more collective, high-context culture.
Practical Usage in Modern China
Describing Memories and Media: This is the most common use. You can talk about a moving `情景` in a film, a funny `情景` from your childhood, or a beautiful `情景` in a novel.
Situational Learning: In education, especially language learning, `情景对话 (qíngjǐng duìhuà)` or “situational dialogue” is a standard method. Learners practice conversations for specific scenarios like ordering food or buying a ticket.
Hypothetical Scenarios: In more formal or business contexts, `情景` can mean “scenario” or “case.” It's used to discuss potential situations and plan accordingly. For example, `在这种情景下…` (zài zhè zhǒng qíngjǐng xià…) means “Under these circumstances…” or “In this scenario…”.
Connotation: The connotation of `情景` is neutral and depends entirely on the adjectives used to describe it, for example: `感人的情景` (gǎnrén de qíngjǐng - a moving scene) vs. `尴尬的情景` (gāngà de qíngjǐng - an awkward situation).
Example Sentences
Example 1:
当时我看到他向她求婚的情景，真的非常感动。
Pinyin: Dāngshí wǒ kàndào tā xiàng tā qiúhūn de qíngjǐng, zhēn de fēicháng gǎndòng.
English: When I saw the scene of him proposing to her, I was truly very moved.
Analysis: Here, `情景` refers to a specific, observable event (the proposal) and emphasizes the emotional impact (“moved”) it had on the speaker.
Example 2:
电影的最后一个情景让所有观众都流下了眼泪。
Pinyin: Diànyǐng de zuìhòu yí ge qíngjǐng ràng suǒyǒu guānzhòng dōu liúxià le yǎnlèi.
English: The final scene of the movie made all the audience members shed tears.
Analysis: This is a classic use of `情景` to refer to a scene in a film, book, or play.
English: The teacher had us break into groups to practice situational dialogues.
Analysis: This demonstrates the educational context, where `情景` means a specific, simulated situation for practice.
Example 5:
他童年时在乡下玩耍的情景，至今还历历在目。
Pinyin: Tā tóngnián shí zài xiāngxià wánshuǎ de qíngjǐng, zhìjīn hái lìlì zài mù.
English: The scenes of him playing in the countryside during his childhood are still vivid in his mind's eye even now.
Analysis: `情景` is perfect for describing memories because memories are a blend of visuals and feelings. The idiom `历历在目 (lìlì zài mù)` often accompanies `情景`.
English: In this kind of awkward situation, I really don't know what to say.
Analysis: This focuses on the social and emotional context. It's not just a “situation” (`情况`), but a specifically “awkward” one where the feeling is palpable.
Example 9:
我昨晚做了一个很奇怪的梦，梦里的情景很真实。
Pinyin: Wǒ zuówǎn zuòle yí ge hěn qíguài de mèng, mèng lǐ de qíngjǐng hěn zhēnshí.
English: I had a very strange dream last night; the scenes in the dream were very realistic.
Analysis: Dreams are a perfect application for `情景` as they are a series of vivid, often emotional, scenes.
Example 10:
这幅画生动地再现了古代农村生活的情景。
Pinyin: Zhè fú huà shēngdòng de zàixiàn le gǔdài nóngcūn shēnghuó de qíngjǐng.
English: This painting vividly reproduces the scenes of ancient rural life.
Analysis: Here, `情景` refers to the depiction of life in a work of art, capturing the overall essence and atmosphere of a bygone era.
Nuances and Common Mistakes
`情景 (qíngjǐng)` vs. `场景 (chǎngjǐng)`: This is the most common point of confusion.
`场景 (chǎngjǐng)`: Refers to the physical place, the setting, the stage. It's objective and visual. Think “crime scene” (`犯罪场景 fànzuì chǎngjǐng`) or “the set of a play” (`舞台场景 wǔtái chǎngjǐng`).
`情景 (qíngjǐng)`: Refers to the scene *plus* the emotional atmosphere or the specific activity happening.
Example: The wedding location (`场景`) was a beautiful church. The scene (`情景`) of the couple exchanging vows was very moving. The first focuses on the place, the second on the emotional event happening within that place.
Incorrect: ~~这起事故的情景在第五大道。~~ (The qíngjǐng of the accident is on 5th Avenue.)
Correct: 这起事故的场景在第五大道。 (The chǎngjǐng [location/setting] of the accident is on 5th Avenue.)
`情景 (qíngjǐng)` vs. `情况 (qíngkuàng)`:
`情况 (qíngkuàng)`: Means “situation,” “condition,” or “state of affairs.” It is much broader, more abstract, and used far more frequently in daily conversation to ask about or describe the general status of something.
Example: To ask “How's the situation now?”, you must use `情况`: `现在情况怎么样了？` You would never use `情景` here. `情景` requires a more specific, describable scene or scenario.
Related Terms and Concepts
场景 (chǎngjǐng) - The physical setting, location, or stage; the “hardware” of a scene.
情况 (qíngkuàng) - The general situation, state of affairs, or circumstances; much more abstract than `情景`.
风景 (fēngjǐng) - Scenery, landscape. Purely about the natural or urban view, without the implied emotional context.
背景 (bèijǐng) - Background, backdrop. Can be literal (the background of a photo) or figurative (family background, historical background).
气氛 (qìfēn) - Atmosphere, mood, vibe. This is a key component *of* a `情景`.
场面 (chǎngmiàn) - Scene, spectacle, occasion. Often implies a grand, dynamic, or public event (e.g., a parade `场面`).
情境 (qíngjìng) - Context, situation. A very close synonym to `情景`, but tends to be more formal and is often used in academic or psychological writing.
故事 (gùshi) - Story. A `情景` is often a key moment or scene that makes up a larger `故事`.