演技 (yǎn jì) — acting skills, performance ability | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

演技 refers specifically to acting skill or performance ability, the craft itself — not the person (演员). Compared with 技能 or 技艺, it is limited to the performing arts.

noun

acting skillsperformance ability

Examples

演技。
Zhè wèi yǎn yuán de yǎn jì zhēn bú cuò.
This actor's acting skills are really good.
演技。
yǎn jì Bú shì yì tiān jiù néng liàn hǎo de.
Acting skills are not something you can practice well in a day.
演技。
Tā zài diàn yǐng lǐ de yǎn jì dǎ dòng le wǒ.
Her acting in the movie moved me.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

演yǎnperform

The 技 used in 演 gives the idea of performing skill.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

氵寅演

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐ

Sound part声符shēngfú

寅

寅yín演yǎn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

演 pairs 氵 (water) with 寅, which gives the sound yín.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

扌支技

Meaning part形符xíngfú

扌Written in full as手shǒuhand

Sound part声符shēngfú

支

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

技 pairs 扌 (hand) with 支, which gives the sound. The hand part fits the idea of skill or ability done with the hands.

Appears in

HSK 3.0 Level 7-9 Film & Theater

Browse more HSK 7-9 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.