演 meaning in English
to perform (a play etc); to stage (a show); (bound form) to develop; to play out; to carry out (a task)
Meaning of 演
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- to perform (a play etc); to stage (a show)
- (bound form) to develop; to play out; to carry out (a task)
How to use 演
演 is mostly used for acting and performing, either alone as a verb or in words like 表演 (biǎoyǎn), 演出 (yǎnchū) and 演员 (yǎnyuán). Alone it often takes a role or a work as its object. Example: 他在电影里演一个老师。 (Tā zài diànyǐng lǐ yǎn yí ge lǎoshī.) He plays a teacher in the film.
演 has the water radical 氵 on the left and 寅 (yín) on the right. Picture a show that flows like water across the stage, unfolding one scene after another.
Common mistake: Learners often confuse 演 (yǎn) with 寅 (yín) or 寅-based characters, and forget the water radical 氵 on the left. Another trap is using 演 for playing an instrument or a sport. For those, use 弹 (tán), 拉 (lā) or 打 (dǎ).
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.
演 yǎn · to perform · 14 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 演.
| 表演 | biǎoyǎn | play; show |
| 演出 | yǎnchū | to act (in a play); to perform |
| 演员 | yǎnyuán | actor; actress; performer |
| 导演 | dǎoyǎn | to direct; director (film etc) |
| 演唱 | yǎnchàng | to sing (for an audience); vocal performance |
| 演唱会 | yǎnchànghuì | vocal recital or concert |
| 演讲 | yǎnjiǎng | to give a lecture; to make a speech |
| 扮演 | bànyǎn | to play the role of; to act |
| 演奏 | yǎnzòu | to perform on a musical instrument |
| 上演 | shàngyǎn | to screen (a movie); to stage (a play) |
| 主演 | zhǔyǎn | to play the leading role; to star; lead actor |
| 演戏 | yǎnxì | to put on a play; to perform |
Questions about 演
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)" and is used as a verb.
How do you write 演?
演 is made of 1 character: 演 (14 strokes). That is 14 strokes in total.
Is 演 an HSK word?
Yes. 演 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 演 and 表演?
演 alone usually takes an object such as a role or a play, as in 演主角 (yǎn zhǔjué, play the lead). 表演 is more general and can mean a performance or a show as a noun, as in 精彩的表演 (jīngcǎi de biǎoyǎn, a wonderful performance).
Does 演 have meanings outside of acting?
Yes, in fixed words it can mean to develop or carry out. Examples are 演变 (yǎnbiàn, to evolve), 演讲 (yǎnjiǎng, to give a speech) and 演习 (yǎnxí, a drill or exercise).