演出

• Pinyin: yǎn chū
• Hanzi breakdown: 演 = 氵 (water) + 寅 (phonetic); 出 = pictograph of a foot stepping out of an enclosure

Meaning

To perform; a performance or show. Used as both a verb and a noun for staged artistic presentations.

A versatile word used for any kind of live performance including theatre, dance, music, and acrobatics. As a verb it means 'to perform on stage'; as a noun it means 'a performance' or 'a show'. It is more general than 演唱 (singing) and covers a wider range of performing arts.

Examples

1. 今天晚上有一场精彩的演出。 There is a wonderful performance tonight.
2. 学生们正在为下周的演出做准备。 The students are preparing for next week's show.
3. 这个演出每个周末都有。 This show takes place every weekend.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, performing arts, everyday

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 昨天的演出非常成功。(Yesterday's performance was very successful.)
• 他们下个月要在北京演出。(They are going to perform in Beijing next month.)

Don't Say

• 我在家演出唱歌。(Don't use 演出 for informal activities at home — it implies a staged, public performance.)

Origin & History

演 (perform) + 出 (out/appear). Together they convey the idea of 'appearing on stage to perform'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal