tableau

IPA/ˈtæbləʊ/
KK[təblˈo]IPA/ˈtæbləʊ/

tableau — noun

  • tableausingular
  • tableausplural

1. a silent, still scene on a stage, where actors dressed as characters from a stor

1.名詞B2
釋義

a silent, still scene on a stage, where actors dressed as characters from a story, painting, or historical event remain completely motionless to create a visual picture.

例句

Elena and her classmates arranged a tableau of the 1789 French Revolution.

collocation: tableau of [historical event]

The theatre company opened with a striking tableau, each actor frozen like figures in a painting.

often used with 'striking' or 'frozen in place'

同義詞
  • tableau vivant

    the full French phrase for this specific art form; more formal and specialised

  • diorama

    a three-dimensional model scene; usually uses dolls or figures, not live actors

  • freeze-frame

    informal term for any motionless moment; not restricted to theatre

文法句型

tableau + of + [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Sense 1 is closer to the original French term 'tableau vivant' (living picture). Distinguish from sense 2, which extends the idea to any striking real-world scene, not a deliberate stage performance.

常見錯誤

❌The actors performed a tableau with moving and dancing.
✅The actors performed a tableau by staying completely still and silent.
💡In a tableau, the participants do NOT move or speak.

2. a scene or arrangement of people, objects, or natural surroundings that is visua

2.名詞C1
釋義

a scene or arrangement of people, objects, or natural surroundings that is visually impressive or artistically pleasing, as if it were a painting.

例句

From the hilltop, Anjali admired a beautiful tableau of red-tiled roofs and distant church towers.

collocation: beautiful tableau of [scene elements]

The family gathered around the wooden dining table formed a warm tableau of togetherness.

同義詞
  • spectacle

    emphasises the impressive or grand nature of the scene; can be active or lively

  • panorama

    a wide, unbroken view; more about geographic scope than composition

  • vista

    a long, narrow view, especially of a landscape; less about people or composition

文法句型

a/an [adjective] tableau

tableau of [noun phrase]

用法筆記

Sense 2 is a metaphorical extension of sense 1. It is used in more formal or descriptive writing rather than everyday conversation. The scene described is typically peaceful or visually memorable rather than dynamic.

常見錯誤

❌There was a busy tableau of cars honking and people shouting.
✅There was a striking tableau of farmers working in the rice fields at sunset.
💡'tableau' implies a visually composed, often peaceful scene, not chaotic action.