<p>「電視劇」is equivalent to <em>TV drama</em>.「電視劇」does not tell you anything about the length of the series (if there even is a series) or the number of seasons in the series.</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>If an English 电视剧 only has one season, can it be called <code>series</code>?</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Yes. A <em>TV series</em> represents a connected group of TV shows with the same title/name. <em>Series</em> are only divided into <em>seasons</em> because of traditional American TV airing practice, where half the year is devoted to viewing and the other half is a re-run.</p>

<p>TV dramas are a product which responds to supply and demand; by nature, if a TV series is not performing by popularity metrics, then there will be no contract to make another season in the series. There are many single-season TV series out there (for various reasons, not only due to lack of popularity).</p>

<p>A TV drama <strong>series</strong> is called「連續劇」in Chinese. <em>Dramas</em>, in general, are just called「戲劇」, so you can get single "episode" (more like a mini-film) dramas called「單元劇」.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-29T22:23:20.197Z
I think in mainland we brief 电视连续剧 as 电视剧. I would think 电视剧 has more than one episole usually.
dan
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-29T22:37:07.157Z
@dan you can check baidu for these terms if you want, that’s where i got half the information for this answer from.
dROOOze
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-28T07:33:08.547Z
2019-03-28T07:33:08.547Z
dROOOze
<p><a href="https://www.quora.com/topic/Television-Dramas" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.quora.com/topic/Television-Dramas</a></p>

<p>I find <code>TV dramas</code> only refer to Chinese/Japanese/Korean 电视剧 on the quora topic. Why?</p>

<p>English 电视剧 only are called TV series?
If an English 电视剧 only has one season, can it be called <code>series</code>?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-03-28T23:20:23.610Z
They are synonyms. The `season` you mentioned is just the culture. Chinese TV series don't usually have seasons.
Salomon Zhang
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-04-01T12:28:18.023Z
Even in the English speaking world, "season" was originally used in America but not elsewhere. It has recently spread though, I think. In English a "series" or "serial" just meant multiple episodes, in contrast to a movie. There were also "miniseries". Not all series are dramas, especially comedies. Not all dramas are series.
hippietrail
<translation>
Is 电视剧 equivalent to "TV series" or "TV drama"?
# Is 电视剧 equivalent to "TV series" or "TV drama"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-03-28)

<https://www.quora.com/topic/Television-Dramas>

I find `TV dramas` only refer to Chinese/Japanese/Korean 电视剧 on the quora topic. Why?

English 电视剧 only are called TV series?
If an English 电视剧 only has one season, can it be called `series`?

**Tags:** translation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: They are synonyms. The `season` you mentioned is just the culture. Chinese TV series don't usually have seasons.  
> **username_2**: Even in the English speaking world, "season" was originally used in America but not elsewhere. It has recently spread though, I think. In English a "series" or "serial" just meant multiple episodes, in contrast to a movie. There were also "miniseries". Not all series are dramas, especially comedies. Not all dramas are series.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2019-03-28. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

「電視劇」is equivalent to *TV drama*.「電視劇」does not tell you anything about the length of the series (if there even is a series) or the number of seasons in the series.

> If an English 电视剧 only has one season, can it be called `series`?

Yes. A *TV series* represents a connected group of TV shows with the same title/name. *Series* are only divided into *seasons* because of traditional American TV airing practice, where half the year is devoted to viewing and the other half is a re-run.

TV dramas are a product which responds to supply and demand; by nature, if a TV series is not performing by popularity metrics, then there will be no contract to make another season in the series. There are many single-season TV series out there (for various reasons, not only due to lack of popularity).

A TV drama **series** is called「連續劇」in Chinese. *Dramas*, in general, are just called「戲劇」, so you can get single "episode" (more like a mini-film) dramas called「單元劇」.

> **Comments:**
> **username_4**: I think in mainland we brief 电视连续剧 as 电视剧. I would think 电视剧 has more than one episole usually.  
> **username_3**: @username_4 you can check baidu for these terms if you want, that’s where i got half the information for this answer from.  

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