Meaning of 导演
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to direct
- director (film etc)
How to use 导演
导演 works as a noun for a film, TV, or stage director, and as a verb meaning to direct a work. As a verb it usually takes the title of a film or play as its object. Example: 这部电影是他导演的。(Zhè bù diànyǐng shì tā dǎoyǎn de.) This movie was directed by him.
导 (dǎo) means to guide or lead, as in 领导 (lǐngdǎo), and 演 (yǎn) means to perform, as in 演员 (yǎnyuán). A 导演 is the person who guides the performance.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 导演 (director) and 演员 (yǎnyuán, actor) because both contain 演. Remember that 导 means guide, so the 导演 tells the 演员 what to do.
导演 in example sentences
Real sentences from the Tatoeba project, with pinyin and English.
Stroke order for each character
Open a character for its meaning, components and more words.
导 dǎo · to direct · 6 strokes
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演 yǎn · to perform · 14 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 导演.
| 表演 | biǎoyǎn | play; show |
| 演出 | yǎnchū | to act (in a play); to perform |
| 演员 | yǎnyuán | actor; actress; performer |
| 领导 | lǐngdǎo | lead; leading |
| 演唱 | yǎnchàng | to sing (for an audience); vocal performance |
| 指导 | zhǐdǎo | to guide; to direct; to instruct; coach; trainer |
| 演唱会 | yǎnchànghuì | vocal recital or concert |
| 导致 | dǎozhì | to lead to; to create; to cause; to bring about |
| 演讲 | yǎnjiǎng | to give a lecture; to make a speech |
| 引导 | yǐndǎo | to guide; to lead (around) |
| 导游 | dǎoyóu | tour guide; guidebook |
| 扮演 | bànyǎn | to play the role of; to act |
Questions about 导演
What does 导演 mean?
导演 (dǎoyǎn) means "to direct; director (film etc)" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 导演?
导演 is made of 2 characters: 导 (6 strokes), 演 (14 strokes). That is 20 strokes in total.
Is 导演 an HSK word?
Yes. 导演 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
How is 导演 written in traditional Chinese?
In traditional characters, 导演 is written 導演.
How do you say 'film director' in Chinese?
You can say 电影导演 (diànyǐng dǎoyǎn), but in context just 导演 is usually enough. People also address a director directly as 导演, the way you might say 'Director' in English.
What is the difference between 导演 and 指导?
导演 is specific to directing films, plays, or shows. 指导 (zhǐdǎo) is a general word for guiding, instructing, or coaching, for example a teacher guiding a student's work.