An operetta is a light musical play: some of the words are spoken, like in an ordinary play, and some are sung.

An operetta is a light musical play輕歌劇是一種輕鬆的音樂劇: some of the words are spoken有些台詞是用說的, like in an ordinary play就像一般戲劇一樣, and some are sung有些則是用唱的。

The story is usually funny, sweet, or romantic — not the heavy, tragic feeling of a grand opera, and often shorter too. It was especially loved in the 1800s and early 1900s.

The story is usually funny, sweet, or romantic故事通常是有趣、溫馨或浪漫的 — not the heavy, tragic feeling of a grand opera不像大歌劇那種沉重、悲劇的感覺, and often shorter too篇幅也通常比較短。 in the 1800s and early 1900s在十九世紀到二十世紀初 It was especially loved特別受歡迎。

Though actually, people stretch the word. Some use operetta, light opera, and even musical as if they were the same thing; musicians would draw sharper lines, but everyday talk is messier.

Though actually不過其實, people stretch the word大家把這個字用得比較鬆散。 Some use有些人 operetta輕歌劇, light opera小歌劇, and even musical甚至音樂劇 as if they were the same thing都當成同一件事在用; musicians would draw sharper lines音樂家會分得更清楚, but everyday talk is messier但日常說法比較籠統。

You will see it in theatre programmes and music history. In casual conversation many learners just say musical or 歌劇, which is broader than this word really is.

in theatre programmes and music history在劇場節目單和音樂史裡 You will see it你會看到這個字。 In casual conversation在日常對話中 many learners just say musical or 歌劇很多學習者會直接說 musical 或「歌劇」, which is broader than this word really is但那其實比這個字廣泛得多。