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演 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
演yǎnto developHSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演yǎnto evolveHSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演yǎnto practiceHSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演yǎnto performHSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演yǎnto playHSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演yǎnto actHSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演yǎnto perform, to act, to put on a playHSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
yǎn(yan3) T3
  1. 1to develop
  2. 2to evolve
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

演yǎn(yan3)

The character 演 (yǎn) primarily means 'to perform' or 'to act,' often in the context of theatrical plays or performances. It can also signify the act of developing or evolving something, such as skills or ideas, in various contexts including arts and education.

Strokes14Radical氵Frequency#1066DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note

The concept of 演 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly through traditional performing arts like opera. The rich history of theatrical performances in China showcases the importance of acting as a form of storytelling and cultural expression.

Memory Tip

Imagine an actor on a stage, acting out a story (演) while evolving their skills over time. The left component '氵' can remind you of flowing water, symbolizing the evolution and development of an actor's craft as they perform.

Meanings of 演

yǎn(yan3)
1to develop
2to evolve
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 演

演Simplified
14Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1066Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 演

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Podcast: 演

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 演

Quick Contrast

表演 (biǎoyǎn) - use 演 (yǎn) for a broader sense of 'perform' or 'act' that includes development, while 表演 (biǎoyǎn) specifically refers to a performance, typically in a theatrical context.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine an actor on a stage, acting out a story (演) while evolving their skills over time. The left component '氵' can remind you of flowing water, symbolizing the evolution and development of an actor's craft as they perform.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context in which you use 演; it is more commonly used in formal settings when discussing performances or acting. Avoid confusing it with similar words like 玩 (wán), which means 'to play' in a more casual sense. Remember the third tone (yǎn) to avoid mispronunciation, as it can change the meaning.

HSK Study Tips

Although 演 is not in the official HSK levels, it relates to HSK 3 vocabulary like 学 (xué, to learn) and 表演 (biǎoyǎn, to perform). Focus on recognizing its use in phrases and its various meanings to enhance your understanding of context.

Cultural Note

The concept of 演 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly through traditional performing arts like opera. The rich history of theatrical performances in China showcases the importance of acting as a form of storytelling and cultural expression.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 演 with other action-related verbs like 做 (zuò, to do) or 玩 (wán, to play). For example, saying '我想演玩' (wǒ xiǎng yǎn wán) incorrectly mixes meanings; instead, use '我想演戏' (wǒ xiǎng yǎn xì) to say 'I want to act in a play.'

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 演

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Etymology of 演

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 氵 represents the meaning and 寅 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

water

Semantic (meaning)氵
+
Phonetic (sound)寅
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 演?

Decomposition of 演

IDS Structure⿰氵寅
演Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
寅yin2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 演?

Write 演

演

Practice writing 演 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 演

演 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 7 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

Related grammar lessons4
是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这是我演的戏。

Zhè shì wǒ yǎn de xì.

This is the play I performed.

Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

观看____出的观众请从右边的门进去。

Audience members watching the performance, please enter through the door on the right.

Common Confusions with 演

演vs言
yán

Different meaning and usage; both contain the radical 言.

演 is a verb meaning 'to perform', while 演出 refers to the performance itself.

1

他们在演出一部新剧。

演 is a verb meaning 'to perform', while 演出 refers to the performance itself.

💡Think of 演出 as the 'event' of performing, while 演 is the action.
Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "to develop"?

or

Usage Notes for 演

Use in contexts of performance and developmentGrammar Tip

演 is commonly used in contexts related to performing arts, as well as in discussing the evolution and development of ideas or skills.

1

他在学校演了一个角色。

He played a role at school.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

他在学校____了一个角色。

He played a role at school.

Example Sentences for 演 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这个晚上最让人高兴的就是精彩的焰火表演。

zhè gè wǎn shàng zuì ràng rén gāo xīng de jiù shì jīng cǎi de yàn huǒ biǎo yǎn。

The most pleasurable experience of the evening was the wonderful fireworks display.
2
草图应该是最终绘画的某种演练。

cǎo tú yīng gāi shì zuì zhōng huì huà de mǒu zhǒng yǎn liàn。

The sketch should be a kind of rehearsal for the eventual painting.
3
从许多方面来说，表演无疑是吃青春饭的行当。

cóng xǔ duō fāng miàn lái shuō， ， biǎo yǎn wú yí shì chī qīng chūn fàn de háng。

Acting is definitely a young person's profession in many ways.
4
白日梦可能像是真实情景的预演。

bái rì mèng kě néng xiàng shì zhēn shí qíng jǐng de yù yǎn。

Daydreams may seem to be rehearsals for real-life situations.
5
伦敦市芭蕾舞团从波修瓦芭蕾舞团聘来了两名男舞蹈演员。

lún dūn shì bā lěi wǔ tuán cóng bō xiū wǎ bā lěi wǔ tuán pìn lái le liǎng míng nán wǔ dǎo yǎn yuán。

The London City Ballet has engaged two male dancers from the Bolshoi.
6
喝下午茶的时候，维多利亚与其夫君艾伯特亲王表演了二重唱。

hē xià wǔ chá de shí hòu， ， wéi duō lì yà yǔ qí fū jūn ài bó tè qīn wáng biǎo yǎn le èr zhòng。

At tea-time, Victoria sang duets with her Consort, Prince Albert.
7
如果一直紧闭双眼，你就要错过精彩的表演了。

rú guǒ yī zhí jǐn bì shuāng yǎn， ， nǐ jiù yào cuò guò jīng cǎi de biǎo yǎn。

If you keep your eyes squeezed shut, you'llmiss the show.
8
演奏钢琴的戴夫将这支曲子反复弹了两三遍。

yǎn zòu gāng qín de dài fū jiāng zhè zhī qū zǐ fǎn fù dàn le liǎng sān biàn。

Dave, the pianist, played it over a couple of times.
9
爱乐乐团精彩演绎了这首高难度乐曲。

ài lè lè tuán jīng cǎi yǎn yì le zhè shǒu gāo nán dù lè qū。

The Philharmonia played this staggeringly difficult music superlatively well.
10
这场演出中我最喜欢的是它的音乐。

zhè cháng yǎn chū zhōng wǒ zuì xǐ huān de shì tā de yīn lè。

The thing I liked best about the show was the music.

Cultural Notes for 演

💡Did you know?

In Chinese culture, performing arts such as opera and drama are highly regarded. The art of performance is not just entertainment; it is also a way to convey cultural values and social messages.

🏮Cultural insight

The concept of 演 is deeply rooted in Chinese culture, particularly through traditional performing arts like opera. The rich history of theatrical performances in China showcases the importance of acting as a form of storytelling and cultural expression.

Word Family of 演

Words Containing This Character20
表演biǎoyǎnplay
演yǎnto develop
演员yǎnyuánperformer演員
演出yǎnchūto perform
导演dǎoyǎnto direct導演
扮演bànyǎnto act
演讲yǎnjiǎnglecture演講
演唱会yǎnchànghuìvocal recital or concert演唱會
演唱yǎnchàngsung performance
上演shàngyǎnto screen (a movie)
演绎yǎnyìto play out演繹
演奏yǎnzòuto perform on a musical instrument
演习yǎnxímaneuver演習
演戏yǎnxìto perform演戲
主演zhǔyǎnto star
演示yǎnshìto show
演变yǎnbiànto develop演變
出演chūyǎnto appear (in a show etc)
演技yǎnjìacting
饰演to act飾演
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 表演 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 演

Both 演 (yǎn) and 表演 (biǎo yǎn) relate to performance, but they are used differently. 演 is often used in the context of acting or performing a role, while 表演 refers more broadly to any kind of performance, including dancing or music. Understanding these nuances can help in choosing the right word.