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演出 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
演出yǎnchūto act (in a play)HSK 4, v, 19 strokes, rank #1191, Medium
演出yǎnchūto performHSK 4, v, 19 strokes, rank #1191, Medium
演出yǎnchūto put on (a performance)HSK 4, v, 19 strokes, rank #1191, Medium
演出yǎnchūperformanceHSK 4, v, 19 strokes, rank #1191, Medium
演出yǎnchūconcertHSK 4, v, 19 strokes, rank #1191, Medium
演出yǎnchūshowHSK 4, v, 19 strokes, rank #1191, Medium
yǎnchū(yan3chu1)yan chu T3
  1. 1to act (in a play)
  2. 2to perform
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March 24, 2026

演出yǎnchū(yan3chu1)

演出 (yǎnchū) refers to the act of performing, typically in a theatrical context such as plays, concerts, or shows. It can also denote the performance itself, highlighting both the action of performing and the event being presented. This term is commonly used in cultural and entertainment settings.

Strokes19Frequency#1191DifficultyMedium
Cultural note

In China, 演出 is significantly tied to traditional arts such as Peking opera, which is a celebrated form of cultural expression. Public performances are a vital part of community events during festivals, showcasing local talent and heritage.

Memory tip

Think of the character 演 as 'to perform' and 出 as 'to go out.' Imagine an actor stepping out onto a stage to perform, embodying the essence of 演出. The '演' component resembles a person showcasing their art, while '出' symbolizes coming out to the audience.

Meanings of 演出

yǎnchū(yan3chu1)
1to act (in a play)
2to perform
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 演出

演出Simplified
19Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#1191Frequency Rank
场Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2

Podcast: 演出

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Podcast: 演出

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AI study notes for 演出

Quick Contrast

表演 (biǎoyǎn) - use 演出 when referring to the event or performance as a whole, while 表演 focuses more on the act of performing itself.

Usage Notes

Be mindful of the context when using 演出, as it is generally used in formal settings related to performances. A common mistake is to confuse it with other verbs of action like 表演 (biǎoyǎn, to perform), which can be more general. Always pair it with the appropriate classifiers (场 for events, 次 for instances).

HSK Study Tips

As a level 4 HSK word, 演出 connects well with other performance-related vocabulary like 表演 (biǎoyǎn) and 电影 (diànyǐng, movie). Focus on using it in sentences that describe specific performances or events to strengthen your understanding.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 演出 with 观看 (guānkàn, to watch), misusing it in contexts related to merely viewing a performance. For example, saying '我观看演出' (Wǒ guānkàn yǎnchū) should be corrected to '我去演出' (Wǒ qù yǎnchū) if intending to perform.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 演出

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Component characters

演yǎnto develop
HSK 414 strokes氵
View full entry
出chūto go out
HSK 25 strokes凵
View full entry

How to say to act (in a play) in Chinese

“to act (in a play)” in Chinese is演出yǎnchū

演出 (yǎnchū) refers to the act of performing, typically in a theatrical context such as plays, concerts, or shows. It can also denote the performance itself, highlighting both the action of performing and the event being presented. This term is commonly used in cultural and entertainment settings.

When to use 演出

Be mindful of the context when using 演出, as it is generally used in formal settings related to performances. A common mistake is to confuse it with other verbs of action like 表演 (biǎoyǎn, to perform), which can be more general. Always pair it with the appropriate classifiers (场 for events, 次 for instances).

演出 or something close to it

表演 (biǎoyǎn) - use 演出 when referring to the event or performance as a whole, while 表演 focuses more on the act of performing itself.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 演出 with 观看 (guānkàn, to watch), misusing it in contexts related to merely viewing a performance. For example, saying '我观看演出' (Wǒ guānkàn yǎnchū) should be corrected to '我去演出' (Wǒ qù yǎnchū) if intending to perform.

Write 演出

演
出

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

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Grammar patterns of 演出

演出 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 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 3

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

观看____的观众请从右边的门进去。

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

Example sentences for 演出 (14)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
vto act (in a play)12
1
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.
2
专家们一致认为这的确是一场精彩绝伦的演出。

zhuānjiā men yízhì rènwéi zhè díquè shì yī chǎng jīngcǎi jué lún de yǎnchū。

Experts agreed that this was a truly sensational performance.
3
这场演出的门票也是几乎在开演前就销售一空了。

zhè chǎng yǎnchū de ménpiào yě shì jīhū zài kāi yǎn qián jiù xiāoshòu yī kōng le。

This show, too, was virtually sold out before it opened.
4
在诺丁汉我经历了自己在童话剧演出中最尴尬的时刻之一。

zài nuò Dīng hàn wǒ jīnglì le zìjǐ zài tónghuà jù yǎnchū zhōng zuì gāngà de shíkè zhīyī。

I had one of my most embarrassing moments in panto in Nottingham.
5
几年前他们在全国作了巡回演出。

jǐ niánqián tāmen zài quánguó zuō le xúnhuí yǎnchū。

A few years ago they toured the country in a roadshow.
6
乐团在周一的圣灵降临节举行了首场演出。

lè tuán zài zhōu yī de shèng líng jiànglín jié jǔxíng le shǒu chǎng yǎnchū。

The orchestra gave its first performance on Whit Monday.
7
在剧院里,他们正在演出比才的作品《卡门》。

zài jùyuàn lǐ, tāmen zhèngzài yǎnchū bǐ cái de zuòpǐn《 kǎ mén》。

Inside the theatre, they were giving a performance of Bizet's Carmen.
8
虽然有一些瑕疵,演出还是一举获得了成功。

suīrán yǒuyīxiē xiácī, yǎnchū háishi yìjǔ huòdé le chénggōng。

The show, despite some rough edges, was an instant success.
9
这3个节目将在整个巡回演出中轮流打头牌。

zhè3 gè jiémù jiāng zài zhěnggè xúnhuí yǎnchū zhōng lúnliú dǎ tóu pái。

The three acts will alternate as headliners throughout the tour.
10
他们那天晚上的演出比以往任何一次都好.

tāmen nà tiān wǎnshang de yǎnchū bǐ yǐwǎng rènhé yī cì dōu hǎo.

Their performance that night was better than any before.
11
他在这部戏剧中演出了一位复杂的角色,赢得了观众的赞赏。

Tā zài zhè bù xìjù zhōng yǎnchū le yī wèi fùzá de juésè, yíngdé le guānzhòng de zànshǎng.

He acted as a complex character in this play and earned the audience's admiration.
12
为了演出这部经典戏剧,他花了数月时间研究角色的心理。

Wèile yǎnchū zhè bù jīngdiǎn xìjù, tā huā le shù yuè shíjiān yánjiū juésè de xīnlǐ.

In order to act in this classic play, he spent months studying the character's psychology.
vto perform2
13
今晚的音乐会由著名的乐队来演出。

Jīn wǎn de yīnyuè huì yóu zhùmíng de yuèduì lái yǎnchū.

Tonight's concert will be performed by a famous band.
14
这个剧团将要在北京演出两场戏剧。

Zhège jùtuán jiāng yào zài Běijīng yǎnchū liǎng chǎng xìjù.

This theater group will perform two plays in Beijing.

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Frequently asked questions about 演出

演出 usually refers to the performance event, while 表演 emphasizes the act of performing itself.

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