Definition
对歌 is a verb-object compound (离合词) meaning 'to sing antiphonally' — a call-and-response style of singing common in many Chinese ethnic folk traditions. Since it is a separable verb, you can insert a measure word or time expression between 对 and 歌, for example 对了一次歌 (duì le yí cì gē). It is distinct from regular duet singing, as it involves alternating lines between two groups.
v.o.
to sing antiphonally (call-and-response style)
Examples
- 对歌，。Tāmen zhèngzài shān shàng duì gē, gēshēng fēicháng yōuměi.They are singing antiphonally on the mountain, and the singing is very beautiful.
- ，。Qùnián wǒmen cānjiā mínsú jié, duì le yí cì gē.Last year we joined a folk festival and had an antiphonal singing session.
- 对歌，。Zhuàngzú rén de duì gē hěn yǒu tèsè, zhídé yì tīng.The antiphonal singing of the Zhuang people is very distinctive and worth listening to.
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