演员

• Pinyin: yǎn yuán
• Hanzi breakdown: 演 = 氵 (water) + 寅 (phonetic); 员 = 口 (mouth) + 贝 (shell/money)

Meaning

Actor; actress; performer. Someone who acts in films, TV shows, plays, or other performances.

The standard term for anyone who performs in acting roles, regardless of gender or medium. It covers film actors, TV performers, theatre actors, and voice actors. For more specific terms, 男演员 (male actor) and 女演员 (female actor) can be used.

Examples

1. 她是一位非常有名的演员。 She is a very famous actress.
2. 这部电影的演员都演得很好。 All the actors in this film performed well.
3. 他从小就想当演员。 He has wanted to be an actor since he was little.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, everyday, career

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 你最喜欢的演员是谁？(Who is your favourite actor?)
• 这个演员演过很多电影。(This actor has been in many films.)

Don't Say

• 那个唱歌的演员很好听。(Don't call a singer 演员 — use 歌手 for singers. 演员 refers specifically to acting performers.)

Origin & History

演 (perform/act) + 员 (member/person). Literally 'a person who performs'.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal