扮演

• Pinyin: bàn yǎn
• Hanzi breakdown: 扮 = 扌(hand) + 分 (divide, phonetic); 演 = 氵(water) + 寅 (phonetic)

Meaning

Play (a role); act as; portray. To perform as a character in a play, movie, or to take on a particular role in life.

Used for actors playing characters, but also figuratively for social roles people assume. 扮演角色 (play a role) is a common collocation used both literally and metaphorically.

Examples

1. 在这部电影中，她扮演了一位勇敢的女警察。 In this movie, she played the role of a brave female police officer.
2. 父母在孩子的成长过程中扮演着非常重要的角色。 Parents play a very important role in their children's growth process.
3. 他很擅长扮演反派角色，演技相当出色。 He's very good at playing villain roles, and his acting is quite outstanding.

Usage Guide

Context: entertainment, social, discussion

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这个角色是谁扮演的？(Who plays this character?)
• 技术在现代社会中扮演着关键角色。(Technology plays a key role in modern society.)

Don't Say

• 说演员'扮演他自己'——如果是真人传记片，说'本色出演'更准确 (Don't say an actor '扮演他自己' — for autobiographical roles, use 本色出演 instead)

Origin & History

Compound of 扮 (dress up/disguise) + 演 (perform), combining the ideas of costuming and performance.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal