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演 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
演
yǎn
to develop
HSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演
yǎn
to evolve
HSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演
yǎn
to practice
HSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演
yǎn
to perform
HSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演
yǎn
to play
HSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演
yǎn
to act
HSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
演
yǎn
to perform, to act, to put on a play
HSK 4, v, 14 strokes, radical 氵, rank #1066, Medium
yǎn(yan3)yan T3
1to develop
2to evolve
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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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 演 means.
About 演
演Simplified
14Strokes
氵Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1066Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 演
Podcast: 演
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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.
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.
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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演 = 氵 + 寅. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 演
IDS Structure⿰氵寅
演Full character
=
氵shui3
left
寅yin2
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 演?
How to say to develop in Chinese
“to develop” in Chinese is演yǎn
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.
When to use 演
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.
演 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.'
Write 演
演
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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.
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。
yǎnzòu gāngqín de dài fū jiāng zhè zhī qǔzi fǎnfù 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 jīngcǎi yǎnyì le zhè shǒu gāo nándù yuèqǔ。
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 chǎng yǎnchū zhōng wǒ zuì xǐhuan de shì tā de yīnyuè。
The thing I liked best about the show was the music.
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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.
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shìyǎnto act飾演
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 演
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.
Yes, 演 (yǎn) can be used in everyday conversation, especially when talking about performances, whether in theater or music. You might hear it when discussing upcoming shows or practices. It's a versatile word that can enhance your conversational skills in Chinese.
演 (yǎn) has several meanings in Chinese, primarily related to performance and development. It can mean 'to perform' as in acting in a play, 'to develop' or 'to evolve,' and it can also refer to practicing a skill. Understanding its context is key to grasping its use in sentences.
To use 演 (yǎn) in a sentence, you can say 演戏 (yǎn xì) which means 'to act in a play.' Another example is 演奏 (yǎn zòu) which means 'to perform music.' It's important to pair it with other words to convey specific actions.
Common phrases include 表演 (biǎoyǎn, to perform) and 演戏 (yǎn xì, to act in a play).
Yes, 演 can also refer to the process of developing or evolving skills and ideas.
Associate the pronunciation 'yǎn' with 'yarn,' as both can involve a process of development or unfolding.
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