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表演 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
表演
biǎoyǎn
play
HSK 3, v, 22 strokes, rank #500, Medium
表演
biǎoyǎn
show
HSK 3, v, 22 strokes, rank #500, Medium
表演
biǎoyǎn
performance
HSK 3, v, 22 strokes, rank #500, Medium
表演
biǎoyǎn
exhibition
HSK 3, v, 22 strokes, rank #500, Medium
表演
biǎoyǎn
to perform
HSK 3, v, 22 strokes, rank #500, Medium
表演
biǎoyǎn
to act
HSK 3, v, 22 strokes, rank #500, Medium
表演
biǎoyǎn
to demonstrate
HSK 3, v, 22 strokes, rank #500, Medium
biǎoyǎn(biao3yan3)biao yan T3
1play
2show
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
表演biǎoyǎn(biao3yan3)
表演 (biǎoyǎn) refers to the act of performing or demonstrating a skill, often in front of an audience. It is commonly used in contexts like theater, dance, or any artistic showcase where someone presents their talents. The word conveys not only the act of performance but also the exhibition of one's abilities.
Strokes22Frequency#500DifficultyMedium
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, 表演 is an important aspect of festivals and celebrations, often featuring traditional performances like opera or dance that showcase cultural heritage. Understanding this term can give insights into the significance of performance in social gatherings.
Memory tip
Think of 表 (biǎo) as a 'surface' or 'to show' and 演 (yǎn) as 'to act or perform'. Visualize an actor standing on a stage, showing their talents to the audience, which helps connect the idea of performance (表演) to its components.
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AI study notes for 表演
Quick Contrast
演出 (yǎnchū) refers specifically to a performance or show, usually implying a formal event, whereas 表演 (biǎoyǎn) can refer to any act of performing, including informal demonstrations of skill.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of using 表演 in appropriate contexts, as it is more formal than casual expressions of performing. Common collocations include 表演艺术 (performing arts) and 表演者 (performer). Watch out for the tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 表演 connects well with other performance-related vocabulary like 演员 (actor) and 戏剧 (drama). Students should focus on using it in sentences that describe activities or events, enhancing their fluency in discussing arts and performances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 表演 with 演出 (yǎnchū), which specifically means to perform a show. For instance, saying '我去表演一个音乐会' (I go to perform a concert) is incorrect; it should be '我去演出一个音乐会'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 表演
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Knowing 表演 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
表演 (biǎoyǎn) refers to the act of performing or demonstrating a skill, often in front of an audience. It is commonly used in contexts like theater, dance, or any artistic showcase where someone presents their talents. The word conveys not only the act of performance but also the exhibition of one's abilities.
When to use 表演
Be mindful of using 表演 in appropriate contexts, as it is more formal than casual expressions of performing. Common collocations include 表演艺术 (performing arts) and 表演者 (performer). Watch out for the tone; mispronouncing it could change its meaning entirely.
表演 or something close to it
演出 (yǎnchū) refers specifically to a performance or show, usually implying a formal event, whereas 表演 (biǎoyǎn) can refer to any act of performing, including informal demonstrations of skill.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 表演 with 演出 (yǎnchū), which specifically means to perform a show. For instance, saying '我去表演一个音乐会' (I go to perform a concert) is incorrect; it should be '我去演出一个音乐会'.
Write 表演
表
演
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Grammar patterns of 表演
表演 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 example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这个晚上最让人高兴的就是精彩的焰火____。
The most pleasurable experience of the evening was the wonderful fireworks display.
Example sentences for 表演 (16)
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1
这个晚上最让人高兴的就是精彩的焰火表演。
zhège wǎnshang zuì ràng rén gāoxìng de jiùshì jīngcǎi de yànhuǒ biǎoyǎn。
The most pleasurable experience of the evening was the wonderful fireworks display.
