How common it is
演 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yǎn slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
演表示表演、演示或扮演。
yǎn biǎo shì biǎo yǎn 、 yǎn shì huò bàn yǎn。
演 means to perform, demonstrate, or act a role.
Context note
演常用于节目、电影和课堂。
yǎn cháng yòng yú jié mù 、 diàn yǐng hé kè táng。
演 is often used in shows, films, and class demonstrations.
5 examples
他会演戏。
tā huì yǎn xì。
He can act.
今天有人演节目。
jīn tiān yǒu rén yǎn jié mù。
Someone is performing today.
老师演示了这个动作。
lǎo shī yǎn shì le zhè ge dòng zuò。
The teacher demonstrated this move.
她演得很好。
tā yǎn dé hěn hǎo。
She acted very well.
我们要演一个故事。
wǒ men yào yǎn yí gè gù shì。
We are going to act out a story.
5 mini stories
演员在舞台上认真地演。
yǎn yuán zài wǔ tái shàng rèn zhēn dì yǎn。
The actor performed seriously on stage.
老师先演示，再让我们练习。
lǎo shī xiān yǎn shì， zài ràng wǒ men liàn xí。
The teacher demonstrated first, then let us practice.
他们在班里演了一个短剧。
tā men zài bān lǐ yǎn le yí gè duǎn jù。
They performed a short play in class.
这个角色很难演。
zhè ge jué sè hěn nán yǎn。
This role is hard to act.
她喜欢看别人怎么演。
tā xǐ huan kàn bié rén zěn me yǎn。
She likes watching how others perform.