gēcí: 歌词 - Lyrics, Song Words

• Keywords: gēcí, 歌词, Chinese lyrics, song lyrics in Chinese, C-pop lyrics, Mandopop, learn Chinese with songs, what is geci, 歌词 meaning, KTV lyrics
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 歌词 (gēcí), the essential Chinese word for “lyrics”. This guide breaks down what 歌词 means, its cultural importance in C-pop and karaoke, and how to use it in everyday conversation. Discover why understanding the 歌词 is key to appreciating Chinese music and dramatically improving your language skills with our detailed examples, character analysis, and cultural insights.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): gēcí
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: The words or text of a song.
• In a Nutshell: 歌词 (gēcí) is the direct Chinese equivalent of the English word “lyrics.” It's a straightforward compound noun created from 歌 (gē), meaning “song,” and 词 (cí), meaning “word” or “phrase.” If you're talking about the text that goes with a melody, whether you're singing along at KTV, studying a pop song, or admiring a classic ballad, 歌词 is the word you need.

• 歌 (gē): This character means “song” or “to sing.” It's a phono-semantic compound. The right side, 欠 (qiàn), depicts a person with an open mouth, suggesting the act of singing. The left side, 哥 (gē, “older brother”), provides the pronunciation. Think of it as your “older brother singing.”
• 词 (cí): This character means “word” or “phrase.” It's composed of the “speech” radical 讠(yán) on the left, indicating it's related to language, and 司 (sī) on the right, which primarily contributes to the sound. It refers to a structured unit of language.

Together, 歌 (gē) “song” + 词 (cí) “words” literally combine to mean “song words,” a perfectly logical and easy-to-remember term for “lyrics.”

In Chinese culture, 歌词 (gēcí) often hold a weight and significance that can surpass that of Western pop music. While a catchy melody is universal, there is a deep-seated appreciation for lyrical craftsmanship that is rooted in China's long history of poetry.

• Poetry and Storytelling: Well-written Mandopop (Mandarin pop) lyrics are often praised for being “like a poem” (像诗一样 - xiàng shī yīyàng). They tell intricate stories, use classical allusions, and paint vivid emotional landscapes. The lyricist (作词人 - zuòcírén) is a highly respected artist, often as famous as the composer or singer. Artists like Fang Wenshan (方文山), who frequently collaborates with Jay Chou (周杰伦), are celebrated for their poetic and innovative lyrics.
• Karaoke (KTV) Culture: 歌词 are the heart of the KTV experience. Unlike in the West where karaoke can be a more casual, sometimes comical activity, KTV in China is a primary form of social gathering. The central focus is on collectively reading the 歌词 from the screen and singing along. An inability to read the characters can be a barrier, highlighting the fusion of literacy and social entertainment. The 歌词 guide the entire group experience.
• Cultural Comparison: In much of Western pop, the “hook” or the beat can be the most memorable part of a song, with lyrics sometimes being secondary. In C-pop, while hooks are important, a song with simple lyrics but a great beat might be seen as catchy but lacking depth. Conversely, a song with profound or touching 歌词 can become a timeless classic, cherished for its message and emotional resonance for decades.

歌词 is a common, everyday word used in any context related to music. It is neutral in formality.

• Discussing Music: Friends will often discuss their favorite songs by focusing specifically on the lyrics. You'll frequently hear people say things like, “这首歌的歌词写得太好了！” (The lyrics of this song are so well-written!).
• Expressing Emotions: On social media platforms like WeChat Moments or Weibo, it's very common for people to post a single line of 歌词 that reflects their current mood or situation, using it as a form of personal expression.
• Language Learning: For learners of Chinese, dissecting the 歌词 of popular songs is a major learning tool. Music apps popular in China, like NetEase Cloud Music (网易云音乐) or QQ Music (QQ音乐), have excellent features for displaying and even translating lyrics, making them invaluable study aids.

• Example 1:
  • 我很喜欢这首歌的歌词。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ hěn xǐhuān zhè shǒu gē de gēcí.
  • English: I really like the lyrics of this song.
  • Analysis: A simple and common way to express appreciation for a song's lyrical content.
• Example 2:
  • 你能帮我找一下这首歌的歌词吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng bāng wǒ zhǎo yīxià zhè shǒu gē de gēcí ma?
  • English: Can you help me find the lyrics to this song?
  • Analysis: A very practical request you might make when you hear a song you want to learn or understand better.
• Example 3:
  • 这段歌词写得太感人了，我差点哭了。
  • Pinyin: Zhè duàn gēcí xiě de tài gǎnrén le, wǒ chàdiǎn kū le.
  • English: This part of the lyrics is so touching, I almost cried.
  • Analysis: This shows how lyrics are often discussed in terms of their emotional impact. `段 (duàn)` is a measure word for a section or paragraph.
• Example 4:
  • 他的中文很好，因为他经常通过听歌看歌词来学习。
  • Pinyin: Tā de Zhōngwén hěn hǎo, yīnwèi tā jīngcháng tōngguò tīng gē kàn gēcí lái xuéxí.
  • English: His Chinese is very good because he often learns by listening to songs and reading the lyrics.
  • Analysis: Highlights the popular language-learning method connected to 歌词.
• Example 5:
  • 周杰伦的很多歌词都很有诗意。
  • Pinyin: Zhōu Jiélún de hěnduō gēcí dōu hěn yǒu shīyì.
  • English: Many of Jay Chou's lyrics are very poetic.
  • Analysis: A common way to praise a lyricist's style, connecting it to the cultural value of poetry.
• Example 6:
  • 如果没有歌词提示，这首歌我一句都不会唱。
  • Pinyin: Rúguǒ méiyǒu gēcí tíshì, zhè shǒu gē wǒ yījù dōu bù huì chàng.
  • English: If there weren't lyric prompts, I wouldn't be able to sing a single line of this song.
  • Analysis: A sentence you would almost certainly hear in a KTV context. `提示 (tíshì)` means “prompt” or “cue.”
• Example 7:
  • 这位歌手不仅唱歌好听，还自己写歌词。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi gēshǒu bùjǐn chànggē hǎotīng, hái zìjǐ xiě gēcí.
  • English: This singer not only sings well, but also writes his/her own lyrics.
  • Analysis: Shows admiration for a singer-songwriter. `自己写 (zìjǐ xiě)` means “writes by oneself.”
• Example 8:
  • 我听不懂这首英文歌的歌词，你能翻译一下吗？
  • Pinyin: Wǒ tīng bù dǒng zhè shǒu Yīngwén gē de gēcí, nǐ néng fānyì yīxià ma?
  • English: I don't understand the lyrics of this English song, can you translate it?
  • Analysis: This demonstrates the term's use for lyrics in any language, not just Chinese.
• Example 9:
  • 有时候，歌词比旋律更能打动人心。
  • Pinyin: Yǒu shíhòu, gēcí bǐ xuánlǜ gèng néng dǎdòng rénxīn.
  • English: Sometimes, the lyrics can touch people's hearts more than the melody.
  • Analysis: This sentence perfectly encapsulates the cultural importance placed on lyrical content. `打动人心 (dǎdòng rénxīn)` is a common idiom meaning “to touch one's heart.”
• Example 10:
  • 老师让我们分析这首老歌的歌词。
  • Pinyin: Lǎoshī ràng wǒmen fēnxī zhè shǒu lǎo gē de gēcí.
  • English: The teacher had us analyze the lyrics of this old song.
  • Analysis: Shows a more academic or educational use of the term.

• 歌词 (gēcí) vs. 词 (cí): While 词 (cí) by itself means “word,” in a musical context, it can be used as a shorthand for 歌词. For example, you might hear a musician say, “我来填词” (wǒ lái tián cí - I'll write the lyrics). However, for learners, it's always clearer and safer to use the full term 歌词 to avoid ambiguity.
• False Friend: “Lines”: In English, you might say “I like the lines in this song.” In Chinese, you cannot use the word for “lines” in a play, 台词 (táicí), to refer to song lyrics. 台词 is strictly for spoken dialogue in movies, plays, or TV shows.
  • Incorrect: 我喜欢这首歌的台词。 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhè shǒu gē de táicí.)
  • Correct: 我喜欢这首歌的歌词。 (Wǒ xǐhuān zhè shǒu gē de gēcí.)
• Don't use generic words: Avoid using general words for “words” or “text” like 话 (huà), 字 (zì), or 文字 (wénzì) to refer to lyrics. 歌词 is the specific and correct term.

• 歌曲 (gēqǔ) - Song. This refers to the complete musical piece, including both melody and lyrics.
• 歌手 (gēshǒu) - Singer. The person who performs the song.
• 作词 (zuòcí) - To write lyrics (verb); the lyricist (noun, often as 作词人 zuòcírén).
• 作曲 (zuòqǔ) - To compose music (verb); the composer (noun, often as 作曲人 zuòqǔrén).
• 旋律 (xuánlǜ) - Melody, tune. The musical part of the song, distinct from the 歌词.
• 歌名 (gēmíng) - Song title/name. From 歌 (song) + 名 (name).
• 专辑 (zhuānjí) - Album. A collection of songs.
• 诗歌 (shīgē) - Poem, poetry. While good 歌词 can be poetic, 诗歌 refers to poetry as a literary form, not necessarily intended to be sung.
• 台词 (táicí) - Lines (of a play, movie, etc.). The spoken words in a performance, not the sung words in a song.