Understanding 传记 (Biography)
The word 传记 refers specifically to a written account of a person's life, focusing on their experiences, achievements, and sometimes the historical context surrounding them. It is commonly used in academic, literary, and everyday contexts when discussing books or films about real people's lives.
Usage Notes
传 means "to pass on" and 记 means "mark" or "record," so together they imply passing on a record of someone's life. This word is formal and often appears in titles or descriptions of books and documentaries.
Common Collocations
- 写传记 (xiě zhuànjì): to write a biography
- 传记电影 (zhuànjì diànyǐng): biographical film
- 传记作家 (zhuànjì zuòjiā): biographer
These collocations are useful for discussing the creation and consumption of biographical works.
Tips
Avoid confusing 传记 with 自传 (zìzhuàn), which means "autobiography." 传记 is written by someone else about a person, while 自传 is written by the person themselves.
Use 传记 when referring to third-person life stories, especially in formal or literary contexts.