演讲 (yǎn jiǎng) — to give a speech, to lecture | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

演讲 is a formal verb for delivering a prepared speech or lecture, typically at a meeting or public event. More formal and complete than 发言 (which is shorter remarks in a discussion), and broader than 报告 (which usually reports on findings).

verb

to give a speechto lecture

Examples

。
Tā míng tiān yào zài huì yì shàng yǎn jiǎng.
He will give a speech at the meeting tomorrow.
演讲。
Tā yǎn jiǎng le yí gè xiǎo shí.
He gave a speech for an hour.
演讲。
Tā xǐ huan zài dà jiā miàn qián yǎn jiǎng.
He likes to give speeches in front of everyone.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

演yǎnpresent

演 names presenting and 讲 names speaking, together meaning to give a speech.

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.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 講; 讲 is its simplified writing.

言冓講

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

冓

冓gòu講jiǎng

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

The traditional form 講 puts 言, say, beside 冓, which gave it its sound; the simplified 讲 is a later abbreviation.

Appears in

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