HSK 4

演

yǎn

to perform, to act, to put on a play

HSK 4 演 氵 14 strokes
Stroke order animation for 演

Words with this Character

表演 biǎo yǎn HSK 3
play
演 yǎn HSK 4
演
演唱 yǎnchàng HSK 4
演唱
演出 yǎn chū HSK 4
to act (in a play)
演员 yǎn yuán HSK 4
actor or actress
导演 dǎo yǎn HSK 5
to direct
扮演 bàn yǎn HSK 6
to play the role of
演变 yǎn biàn HSK 6
to develop
演讲 yǎn jiǎng HSK 6
lecture
演习 yǎn xí HSK 6
maneuver
演绎 yǎn yì HSK 6
(of a story etc) to unfold
演奏 yǎn zòu HSK 6
to perform on a musical instrument
主演 zhǔyǎn HSK 6
主演
上演 shàngyǎn HSK 7
上演
演化 yǎnhuà HSK 7
演化
演技 yǎnjì HSK 7
演技
演练 yǎnliàn HSK 7
演练
演示 yǎnshì HSK 7
演示
演说 yǎnshuō HSK 7
演说
愈演愈烈 yùyǎn-yùliè HSK 7
愈演愈烈

Usage of 演

The character 演 primarily means "to perform" or "to act," especially in contexts related to theater, film, or music. It is commonly used to describe acting roles (演角色), performing in plays or concerts (演出), and sometimes singing or playing instruments (演唱, 演奏).

Common Collocations

  • 演戏 (yǎnxì): to act in a play or drama
  • 演出 (yǎnchū): to perform or put on a show
  • 演唱 (yǎnchàng): to sing (in a performance)
  • 演奏 (yǎnzòu): to play (a musical instrument)

Notes

When using 演, the focus is on the act of performing or portraying a role. It differs from 表演, which also means "to perform" but can emphasize the demonstration or display aspect more broadly. 演 is often used in formal or artistic contexts.

Avoid confusing 演 with 演变 (evolution/change) which uses the same character but in a different compound with a distinct meaning.

Example Sentences

他在电影里演了一个医生的角色。

Tā zài diànyǐng lǐ yǎn le yí gè yīshēng de juésè.

He played the role of a doctor in the movie.

这部戏由著名演员演出，反响很好。

Zhè bù xì yóu zhùmíng yǎnyuán yǎnchū, fǎnxiǎng hěn hǎo.

This play was performed by a famous actor and received great feedback.

他喜欢在学校的文艺晚会上演唱歌曲。

Tā xǐhuān zài xuéxiào de wényì wǎnhuì shàng yǎnchàng gēqǔ.

He likes to perform songs at the school's cultural evening.