传
commentary on classics; biography; narrative work
Meanings
3 senses · 12 examplesnoun
commentary or explanation of classical scriptures
literaryA traditional academic term used in ancient Chinese classics studies, especially for works explaining Confucian classics.
Zuo's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals is an important Confucian classic commentary.
Scholars of the Han Dynasty wrote commentaries for many classics.
noun
biography; detailed account of a person's life
Refers to written records of a person's life experiences, achievements, and character.
This biography detailedly records Marie Curie's entire life.
Sima Qian's Records of the Grand Historian contains many wonderful character biographies.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
He wrote an autobiography for his father.
This side biography tells the protagonist's unknown past.
Historical biographies need to objectively and truthfully record people's deeds.
noun
historical story works (often used in novel titles)
Commonly used as a suffix for fictional or semi-fictional historical story novels.
Water Margin is one of China's four great classical novels.
Heroes of Lüliang tells the local anti-Japanese stories during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Show 3 more examplesShow fewer examples
Many people enjoy reading wuxia novels like The Legend of the Condor Heroes.
This newly released historical work tells the stories of the prosperous Tang Dynasty.
Journey to the West is also a historical story work with mythological elements.