Definition
演 (yǎn) means 'to perform, to act' and is the core verb for acting in a play or film. 表演 (biǎoyǎn) is broader, covering any performance or demonstration; 演出 (yǎnchū) focuses on 'putting on a show/event'; 扮演 (bànyǎn) means 'to play a specific role'; 演奏 (yǎnzòu) is for musical instruments. In compounds like 演变 (yǎnbiàn), it means 'to evolve'.
verb
to performto act (in a play, movie, etc.)to developto evolve (often in compounds like 演变)
Easily confused
- 眼yǎnsound-alikeeye
- 烟yānsound-alikecigarette or pipe tobacco
- 盐yánsound-alikesalt
- 严yánsound-alikestrict, stern, severe
- 延yánsound-aliketo extend; to prolong (in time or length)
- 验yànsound-aliketo examine; to test; to check
- 沿yánsound-alike(preposition) along
- 淹yānsound-aliketo flood; to submerge
- 咽yànsound-aliketo swallow
Examples
- 演，。Tā yǎn le èrshí nián de xì, jīngyàn hěn fēngfù.He has been acting for twenty years and has a lot of experience.
- 演。Míngtiān wǒmen bān yào yǎn yí gè xiǎo jiémù.Tomorrow our class is going to perform a little show.
- 演。Zhè bù diànyǐng lǐ tā yǎn de hěn hǎo.She performed very well in this movie.
Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.