京剧
Jīng jù · HSK 3
opera
🎭 京 = capital (Beijing) + 剧 = drama; literally capital-drama
京 means capital, short for 北京 (Beijing). 剧 means drama or play. Together: the dramatic art form from the capital. The 刂 radical in 剧 is the knife radical, hinting at sharp, stylized stage action.
剧 — 豦 (tiger+pig) + 刂 knife radical
Originally written 劇, a phono-semantic compound: 豦 (jù, a fierce beast) gives the sound, while 刂 (knife) suggests intensity or cutting action. The original meaning was 'severe' or 'intense,' later extended to 'drama/play' since theatrical performances were dramatic and intense. 剧 is the simplified form.