演 meaning and stroke order
To perform (a play etc); to stage (a show); (bound form) to develop; to play out; to carry out (a task)
How to write 演, stroke by stroke
14 strokes in order. Each box adds the next stroke in red. Write top to bottom and left to right, and finish enclosing strokes last.
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Meaning of 演
Definitions from CC-CEDICT, grouped by pronunciation.
- to perform (a play etc); to stage (a show)
- (bound form) to develop; to play out; to carry out (a task)
How 演 is built
Phono-semantic (sound + meaning) character. Water.
氵 gives the meaning and 寅 hints at the sound.
Radical: 氵 (water), shared by 467 characters on this site.
How to remember 演
演 is water 氵 on the left plus 寅 (yín) on the right, which hints at the sound. Picture a performance flowing out like water, unfolding scene by scene on stage.
演 (yǎn) usually appears in compound words about performing, such as 表演 (biǎoyǎn), 演出 (yǎnchū), and 演员 (yǎnyuán). It can also stand alone as a verb meaning to play a role. Example: 他在电影里演一个医生。(Tā zài diànyǐng lǐ yǎn yí ge yīshēng.) He plays a doctor in the movie.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 演 (yǎn) with 寅 (yín) or forget the water radical 氵 when writing it. Also keep the third tone in 演员 (yǎnyuán), which many say with a flat or fourth tone.
Common words with 演
Ordered by HSK level, then by how often they appear in everyday Chinese.
| Word | Pinyin | Meaning | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| 表演 | biǎoyǎn | play; show | HSK 3 |
| 演出 | yǎnchū | to act (in a play); to perform | HSK 3 |
| 演员 | yǎnyuán | actor; actress; performer | HSK 3 |
| 导演 | dǎoyǎn | to direct; director (film etc) | HSK 3 |
| 演唱 | yǎnchàng | to sing (for an audience); vocal performance | HSK 3 |
| 演唱会 | yǎnchànghuì | vocal recital or concert | HSK 3 |
| 演讲 | yǎnjiǎng | to give a lecture; to make a speech | HSK 4 |
| 扮演 | bànyǎn | to play the role of; to act | HSK 5 |
| 演奏 | yǎnzòu | to perform on a musical instrument | HSK 6 |
| 上演 | shàngyǎn | to screen (a movie); to stage (a play) | HSK 6 |
| 主演 | zhǔyǎn | to play the leading role; to star; lead actor | HSK 7-9 |
| 演戏 | yǎnxì | to put on a play; to perform | HSK 7-9 |
| 演习 | yǎnxí | (military, firefighting etc) (verb and noun) drill; exercise; maneuver | HSK 7-9 |
| 演示 | yǎnshì | to demonstrate; to show | HSK 7-9 |
演 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Questions about 演
How many strokes are in 演?
演 is written with 14 strokes. The diagrams on this page number every stroke in the order it is written, with the new stroke shown in red.
What does 演 mean?
演 (yǎn) means to perform (a play etc); to stage (a show); (bound form) to develop; to play out; to carry out (a task). A common word with it is 表演 (biǎoyǎn), meaning "play; show".
How do you pronounce 演?
演 is pronounced yǎn, in the third tone (dipping).
What is the radical of 演?
The radical of 演 is 氵, which carries the idea of "water". Dictionaries list 演 under this radical.
Is 演 on the HSK exam?
Yes. 演 is part of the HSK 3 character list in the HSK 3.0 standard, and you are expected to write it by hand from HSK 3.
What is the difference between 演 and 表演?
演 is often used for playing a specific role, as in 演一个老师 (play a teacher). 表演 (biǎoyǎn) is a more general word for giving a show or performance and also works as a noun.
Does 演 only refer to acting on stage?
No. In words like 演讲 (yǎnjiǎng) it means giving a speech, and in 演变 (yǎnbiàn) it means to develop or evolve over time. The shared idea is something unfolding in front of people or through time.