(yǎn) — to perform, to act (in a play, movie, etc.); to develop, to evolve (often in compounds like 演变)

Definition

演 (yǎn) covers two senses: performing (a role, show, or piece — 演出/演奏/扮演 are more specific compounds) and developing/evolving (as in 演变).

verb
to performto act (in a play, movie, etc.)to developto evolve (often in compounds like 演变)
Easily confused

Examples

  • Tā yǎn le èr shí nián de xì, jīng yàn hěn fēng fù.
    He has been acting for twenty years and has a lot of experience.
  • Míng tiān wǒ men bān yào yǎn yí gè xiǎo jié mù.
    Tomorrow our class is going to perform a little show.
  • Zhè bù diàn yǐng lǐ tā yǎn dé hěn hǎo.
    She performed very well in this movie.

Browse more HSK 4 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.