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上演 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
上演shàngyǎnto screen (a movie)HSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #4711, Very Hard
上演shàngyǎnto stage (a play)HSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #4711, Very Hard
上演shàngyǎna screeningHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #4711, Very Hard
上演shàngyǎna stagingHSK 7, unknown, 17 strokes, rank #4711, Very Hard
shàngyǎn(shang4yan3)shang yan T4
  1. 1to screen (a movie)
  2. 2to stage (a play)
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March 24, 2026

上演shàngyǎn(shang4yan3)

The term '上演' (shang4 yan3) refers to the act of presenting a performance, such as a play or a movie screening. It is commonly used in theatrical and cinematic contexts, signifying the actual display of artistic work to an audience.

Strokes17Frequency#4711DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, theater and film hold significant importance, with traditional forms like Peking opera being a cherished art. The term '上演' reflects the ongoing appreciation for these performances in modern society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a stage (上) being elevated (演) above the ground, where actors perform a play. Picture the '上' as a raised stage and '演' as the action of acting, helping you remember both the meaning of performing and the pronunciation.

Meanings of 上演

shàngyǎn(shang4yan3)
1to screen (a movie)
2to stage (a play)
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About 上演

上演Simplified
17Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1

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AI Study Notes for 上演

Quick Contrast

演出 (yǎnchū) - use '上演' when emphasizing the act of presenting a performance, while '演出' focuses more on the performance event itself.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse '上演' with '演出' (yan3 chu1), which also means performance but emphasizes the process rather than the event. This term is generally used in a formal context, especially when discussing theater or film.

HSK Study Tips

Though not in the HSK curriculum, understanding '上演' connects well with other performance-related vocabulary. Focus on practicing its usage in sentences about movies or plays to enhance your speaking skills.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse '上演' with '放映' (fang4 ying4), which specifically means to screen a film. For example, saying '电影上演' (diàn yǐng shàng yǎn) is incorrect; instead, use '电影放映' (diàn yǐng fàng yìng).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 上演

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Component Characters

上shàngon top
HSK 13 strokes一
View full entry
演yǎnto develop
HSK 414 strokes氵
View full entry

How to say to screen (a movie) in Chinese

“to screen (a movie)” in Chinese is上演shàngyǎn

The term '上演' (shang4 yan3) refers to the act of presenting a performance, such as a play or a movie screening. It is commonly used in theatrical and cinematic contexts, signifying the actual display of artistic work to an audience.

When to use 上演

Be careful not to confuse '上演' with '演出' (yan3 chu1), which also means performance but emphasizes the process rather than the event. This term is generally used in a formal context, especially when discussing theater or film.

上演 or something close to it

演出 (yǎnchū) - use '上演' when emphasizing the act of presenting a performance, while '演出' focuses more on the performance event itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse '上演' with '放映' (fang4 ying4), which specifically means to screen a film. For example, saying '电影上演' (diàn yǐng shàng yǎn) is incorrect; instead, use '电影放映' (diàn yǐng fàng yìng).

Write 上演

上
演

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Frequently Asked Questions about 上演

Yes, '上演' can refer to both movies and theatrical performances.

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