Meaning of 表演
Definitions from CC-CEDICT.
- play
- show
- performance
- exhibition
- to perform
- to act
- to demonstrate
Measure word: 場|场
How to use 表演
表演 works as a verb (to perform) and as a noun (a performance), often for singing, dancing, magic, or acting on stage. It can also mean a demonstration, like a skill show. Example: 她在学校表演跳舞。(Tā zài xuéxiào biǎoyǎn tiàowǔ.) She performed a dance at school.
表 (biǎo) means the outside or surface, as in showing something outwardly, and 演 (yǎn) means to act or perform, as in 演员 (yǎnyuán) actor. Put them together: you act something out on the surface for others to see, which is a performance.
Common mistake: Learners often mix up 表演 (biǎoyǎn) with 表现 (biǎoxiàn). 表现 means how someone behaves or does in general, as in 他表现很好 (he did well), not a stage show. Also note both syllables are third tone, so in speech 表 changes to a rising tone: bíaoyǎn.
表演 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.
表 biǎo · exterior surface · 8 strokes
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演 yǎn · to perform · 14 strokes
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Related words
Words that share a character with 表演.
| 表示 | biǎoshì | (of sb) to express; to state; to show; (of sth) to indicate; to signify; to show |
| 手表 | shǒubiǎo | wristwatch |
| 代表 | dàibiǎo | representative; delegate |
| 表现 | biǎoxiàn | to show; to show off |
| 演出 | yǎnchū | to act (in a play); to perform |
| 演员 | yǎnyuán | actor; actress; performer |
| 导演 | dǎoyǎn | to direct; director (film etc) |
| 表达 | biǎodá | to express; to convey |
| 表明 | biǎomíng | to make clear; to make known |
| 发表 | fābiǎo | to issue; to publish |
| 表面 | biǎomiàn | surface; face |
| 演唱 | yǎnchàng | to sing (for an audience); vocal performance |
Questions about 表演
What does 表演 mean?
表演 (biǎoyǎn) means "play; show" and is used as a verb and noun.
How do you write 表演?
表演 is made of 2 characters: 表 (8 strokes), 演 (14 strokes). That is 22 strokes in total.
Is 表演 an HSK word?
Yes. 表演 is on the HSK 3 vocabulary list of the HSK 3.0 standard.
What is the difference between 表演 and 演出?
演出 (yǎnchū) usually refers to a formal show or production, like a concert or play put on for an audience. 表演 focuses more on the act of performing itself and can be smaller or informal, like performing a trick for friends.
Can 表演 mean someone is faking or putting on an act?
Yes. In casual speech, saying someone is 在表演 (zài biǎoyǎn) can mean they are pretending or being dramatic. For example, 别表演了 (Bié biǎoyǎn le) means stop putting on a show.