tuōkǒuxiù: 脱口秀 - Stand-up Comedy, Talk Show

• Keywords: tuokouxiu, tuō kǒu xiù, 脱口秀, stand-up comedy in China, Chinese comedy, talk show in Chinese, what is tuokouxiu, Chinese comedians, 吐槽大会, 脱口秀大会, Rock & Roast, 相声 vs 脱口秀
• Summary: 脱口秀 (tuō kǒu xiù) is the modern Chinese term for both Western-style stand-up comedy and television talk shows. A direct loanword from “talk show,” its meaning has shifted heavily towards stand-up comedy in recent years, exploding in popularity among China's urban youth through hit competition shows like “Rock & Roast” (《脱口秀大会》). This page explains the dual meaning of 脱口秀, its cultural significance as a new form of expression, and how it differs from traditional Chinese comedy like 相声 (xiàngsheng).

• Pinyin (with tone marks): tuō kǒu xiù
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A
• Concise Definition: A comedic performance or television program featuring monologues, interviews, or humorous commentary; stand-up comedy or a talk show.
• In a Nutshell: Imagine a person on a stage with just a microphone, telling personal stories and sharp observations to make people laugh—that's the primary meaning of 脱口秀 today. It's a loanword that originally meant “talk show” (like The Ellen Show) but is now almost synonymous with “stand-up comedy” in modern China. It feels individualistic, modern, and sometimes a bit edgy, representing a new wave of entertainment.

• 脱 (tuō): To “take off,” “escape,” or “blurt out.” In this context, it suggests speech that is spontaneous and unrestrained.
• 口 (kǒu): “Mouth.”
• 秀 (xiù): A phonetic borrowing of the English word “show.” This character is now commonly used in modern Chinese for various types of performances.
• When combined, 脱口秀 (tuō kǒu xiù) literally means a “blurt-out-of-the-mouth show.” This brilliantly captures the essence of stand-up comedy: a seemingly unfiltered, direct, and personal performance.

脱口秀 is a relatively recent but hugely significant cultural import in China. While talk-show-style programs have existed for a while, the boom of stand-up comedy is a phenomenon of the 2010s and 2020s. Comparison: 脱口秀 (tuōkǒuxiù) vs. 相声 (xiàngsheng) The best way to understand the unique cultural space 脱口秀 occupies is to compare it to China's most famous traditional comedic art form, 相声 (xiàngsheng), or “crosstalk.”

• Format:
  • 脱口秀: Typically a solo performer. The focus is on the individual's personality, perspective, and personal stories.
  • 相声: Traditionally a duo—a “funny man” (逗哏, dòugén) and a “straight man” (捧哏, pěnggén). The humor comes from their rapid-fire, witty interaction.
• Content:
  • 脱口秀: Relies on observational humor, self-deprecation, personal anecdotes, and commentary on modern life (dating, work stress, social trends). It's the voice of the individual.
  • 相声: Based on structured routines, intricate wordplay, puns, and retellings of classic stories and poems. It's more about preserving a craft and mastering linguistic skill.
• Audience & Vibe:
  • 脱口秀: Resonates strongly with young, urban Chinese who appreciate its directness and relatability. It's seen as cool, modern, and a platform for expressing personal anxieties and opinions.
  • 相声: Often perceived as more traditional or even old-fashioned, appealing to a broader family audience and those who appreciate classical Chinese arts.

The rise of 脱口秀, fueled by online streaming shows like 《脱口秀大会》 (Rock & Roast), signifies a shift in Chinese entertainment. It provides a new, more personal avenue for social commentary and has created a new generation of celebrity comedians famous for their unique voices.

The term 脱口秀 is used frequently in daily conversation, on social media, and in the media. Its meaning is almost always clear from the context.

This is the dominant meaning in contemporary China. It refers to the art form, a performance, or a TV special.

• “Let's go watch stand-up comedy tonight!” - “我们今晚去看脱口秀吧！”
• “He is a stand-up comedian.” - “他是一个脱口秀演员。”
• “That joke (bit) was hilarious.” - “那个脱口秀段子太好笑了。”

This usage usually refers to a television program with a host, a desk, and celebrity guests.

• “I like watching American talk shows.” - “我喜欢看美国的脱口秀节目。”
• “The host of that talk show is very famous.” - “那个脱口秀的主持人很有名。”

In general, if you hear 脱口秀 today, it's safe to assume the speaker means stand-up comedy unless they specifically mention a TV “program” (节目, jiémù) with a host.

• Example 1:
  • 周末我最喜欢的活动就是去看脱口秀。
  • Pinyin: Zhōumò wǒ zuì xǐhuān de huódòng jiùshì qù kàn tuōkǒu xiù.
  • English: My favorite weekend activity is to go watch stand-up comedy.
  • Analysis: This is the most common usage, referring to attending a live stand-up show.
• Example 2:
  • 杨笠是中国最有名的脱口秀演员之一。
  • Pinyin: Yáng Lì shì Zhōngguó zuì yǒumíng de tuōkǒu xiù yǎnyuán zhīyī.
  • English: Yang Li is one of China's most famous stand-up comedians.
  • Analysis: Here, 脱口秀 modifies “actor/performer” (演员, yǎnyuán) to create the specific job title “stand-up comedian.”
• Example 3:
  • 你看了最新一季的《脱口秀大会》吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ kànle zuìxīn yí jì de “Tuōkǒu Xiù Dàhuì” ma?
  • English: Have you watched the latest season of “Rock & Roast”?
  • Analysis: This refers to the hugely influential competition show whose title literally means “The Stand-up Comedy Convention.”
• Example 4:
  • 他这个人特别幽默，感觉他随时都能讲一段脱口秀。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhège rén tèbié yōumò, gǎnjué tā suíshí dōu néng jiǎng yí duàn tuōkǒu xiù.
  • English: He's a very humorous person; it feels like he could perform a stand-up routine at any moment.
  • Analysis: “讲脱口秀” (jiǎng tuōkǒu xiù) means “to perform stand-up comedy.” The measure word for a routine or bit is “段” (duàn).
• Example 5:
  • 我觉得脱口秀比相声更贴近我们年轻人的生活。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juéde tuōkǒu xiù bǐ xiàngsheng gèng tiējìn wǒmen niánqīngrén de shēnghuó.
  • English: I feel that stand-up comedy is more relevant to us young people's lives than crosstalk (xiangsheng).
  • Analysis: This sentence directly compares 脱口秀 with its traditional counterpart, highlighting a common sentiment among its fans.
• Example 6:
  • 他的脱口秀风格主要是吐槽。
  • Pinyin: Tā de tuōkǒu xiù fēnggé zhǔyào shì tǔcáo.
  • English: His stand-up comedy style is mainly roasting/ranting.
  • Analysis: This connects 脱口秀 with the key concept of “吐槽” (tǔcáo), a popular form of humor in modern China.
• Example 7:
  • 虽然这是一个严肃的访谈节目，但主持人有时会加入一些脱口秀元素。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán zhè shì yí ge yánsù de fǎngtán jiémù, dàn zhǔchírén yǒushí huì jiārù yìxiē tuōkǒu xiù yuánsù.
  • English: Although this is a serious interview program, the host sometimes adds some “talk show” (or comedic monologue) elements.
  • Analysis: This shows a more abstract use, where 脱口秀 refers to a style or element rather than a full show.
• Example 8:
  • 很多年前，《金星秀》是一个很火的脱口秀节目。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō nián qián, “Jīnxīng Xiù” shì yí ge hěn huǒ de tuōkǒu xiù jiémù.
  • English: Many years ago, “The Jin Xing Show” was a very popular talk show program.
  • Analysis: An example of the term being used in its original “talk show” sense, referring to a TV program with a host and interviews. The word 节目 (jiémù - program) is a key indicator.
• Example 9:
  • 开办一个脱口秀俱乐部是我的梦想。
  • Pinyin: Kāibàn yí ge tuōkǒu xiù jùlèbù shì wǒ de mèngxiǎng.
  • English: It's my dream to open a stand-up comedy club.
  • Analysis: Shows how 脱口秀 combines with other nouns like “club” (俱乐部, jùlèbù) to form new concepts.
• Example 10:
  • 我把我的尴尬经历写成了一个脱口秀段子。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bǎ wǒ de gāngà jīnglì xiě chéngle yí ge tuōkǒu xiù duànzi.
  • English: I wrote my embarrassing experience into a stand-up comedy bit.
  • Analysis: This sentence uses the specific term “段子” (duànzi), meaning a bit or a joke, which is the fundamental building block of a 脱口秀 set.

• Ambiguity: Stand-up vs. Talk Show: The biggest potential confusion for a learner is the dual meaning.
  • Rule of Thumb: In 90% of modern conversations, 脱口秀 means stand-up comedy. If the speaker means a TV talk show, they will often add the word “program” (节目, jiémù), or the context will involve a “host” (主持人, zhǔchírén) and “guests” (嘉宾, jiābīn).
  • Example: `他喜欢看脱口秀` → He likes watching stand-up.
  • Example: `他喜欢看那个脱口秀节目` → He likes watching that talk show program.
• Don't Confuse with 相声 (xiàngsheng): This is the most common mistake. Using 脱口秀 to describe the traditional two-person crosstalk is incorrect. They are distinct art forms in China. Calling a xiangsheng performance a tuokouxiu would be like calling a Shakespearean play an improv show.
• Incorrect Verb Usage: While you can “listen” (听, tīng) to comedy on an app, the standard verb for experiencing 脱口秀 is 看 (kàn), to watch. This is because the physical performance, facial expressions, and body language of the solo comedian are crucial to the art form. Using `听脱口秀` is less common and might imply you're only listening to an audio recording.
  • Correct: 我喜欢看脱口秀。(Wǒ xǐhuān kàn tuōkǒu xiù.)
  • Less Common: 我喜欢听脱口秀。(Wǒ xǐhuān tīng tuōkǒu xiù.)

• 相声 (xiàngsheng) - The main traditional counterpart to 脱口秀; a comedic crosstalk performance, usually by a duo.
• 吐槽 (tǔcáo) - To “roast,” complain, or rant. A core component of modern 脱口秀 humor. Originally from Japanese (tsukkomi).
• 段子 (duànzi) - A joke, a bit, a funny story, or a punchline. The building blocks of a 脱口秀 routine.
• 幽默 (yōumò) - The general word for “humor,” itself a loanword from English.
• 小品 (xiǎopǐn) - A comedic sketch or skit, often seen on TV galas like the Spring Festival Gala. Different from both 脱口秀 and 相声.
• 主持人 (zhǔchírén) - A host or presenter. This word is more relevant to the “talk show” meaning of 脱口秀.
• 演员 (yǎnyuán) - An actor or performer. A 脱口秀演员 is a stand-up comedian.
• 单口喜剧 (dānkǒu xǐjù) - A more literal and academic translation of “stand-up comedy” (literally “solo-mouth comedy-drama”). While technically correct, 脱口秀 is vastly more popular and colloquial.