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March 24, 2026
演员(演員)yǎnyuán(yan3yuan2)
The term 演员 (yǎnyuán) refers to an actor or actress, a person who performs in films, television, theater, or other performing arts. This word is commonly used in contexts related to entertainment and the arts, highlighting someone's role in portraying characters or stories.
Frequency#1048DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, performing arts are highly valued, with traditional forms like Peking Opera being celebrated for their artistry. The term 演员 reflects the respect given to those who dedicate their lives to performance, showcasing a significant aspect of Chinese cultural heritage.
Memory Tip
To remember 演员, think of the character 演 (yǎn) as a performer on stage acting out a script, while 员 (yuán) represents a member of a group. Visualize an actor taking center stage, dramatically gesturing to captivate the audience, and you can associate the sound 'yan' with 'perform' and 'yuan' with 'member.'
Meanings of 演员
yǎnyuán(yan3yuan2)
1actor or actress
2performer
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 演员
演员Simplified
演員Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#1048Frequency Rank
个Measure Word
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4ElementaryTOCFLL3HSKKL2CEFRA2
Podcast: 演员
Podcast: 演员
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AI Study Notes for 演员
Quick Contrast
演员 (yǎnyuán) vs 表演者 (biǎoyǎnzhě) — use 演员 specifically for actors in film and theater, while 表演者 can refer to any performer, including musicians and dancers.
Memory Mnemonic
To remember 演员, think of the character 演 (yǎn) as a performer on stage acting out a script, while 员 (yuán) represents a member of a group. Visualize an actor taking center stage, dramatically gesturing to captivate the audience, and you can associate the sound 'yan' with 'perform' and 'yuan' with 'member.'
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the tone when pronouncing 演员, as mispronunciation can lead to misunderstanding. It is used in both formal and informal contexts, often appearing in phrases like '电影演员' (movie actor) or '话剧演员' (theater actor). Avoid using it in contexts unrelated to performing arts.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 4 word, 演员 connects well with other words related to professions and the arts. Students should focus on collocations and phrases that involve different types of performers, enhancing vocabulary in the context of entertainment.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, performing arts are highly valued, with traditional forms like Peking Opera being celebrated for their artistry. The term 演员 reflects the respect given to those who dedicate their lives to performance, showcasing a significant aspect of Chinese cultural heritage.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 演员 with 角色 (jiǎosè), which means 'character,' leading to phrases like '我想成为一个角色' (I want to become a character) instead of '我想成为一个演员' (I want to become an actor). Always use 演员 when referring to the person performing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 演员
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Grammar Patterns of 演员
演员 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
伦敦市芭蕾舞团从波修瓦芭蕾舞团聘来了两名男舞蹈____。
The London City Ballet has engaged two male dancers from the Bolshoi.
àn lǐ tā shì tā nà yī dài zhōng zuì yōu xiù de yǎn yuán。
He is arguably the best actor of his generation.
7
他的新角色会确保他跻身我们的一流演员之列。
tā de xīn jiǎo sè huì què bǎo tā jī shēn wǒ mén de yī liú yǎn yuán zhī liè。
His new role could confirm him as one of our leading actors.
8
他要的是会说威尔士语的演员。明摆着，我是没指望了。
tā yào de shì huì shuō wēi ěr shì yǔ de yǎn yuán。 。 míng bǎi， zháo ， wǒ shì méi zhǐ。
He wants actors who can speak Welsh. Obviously I've had it.
9
那个男演员的名字我一时想不起来了。
nà gè nán yǎn yuán de míng zì wǒ yī shí xiǎng bù qǐ lái le。
It was an actor whose name escapes me for the moment.
10
我一心一意想去做演员。
wǒ yī xīn yī yì xiǎng qù zuò yǎn yuán。
I wanted to be an actress with every fibre of my being.
Cultural Notes for 演员
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, performing arts are highly valued, with traditional forms like Peking Opera being celebrated for their artistry. The term 演员 reflects the respect given to those who dedicate their lives to performance, showcasing a significant aspect of Chinese cultural heritage.
Frequently Asked Questions about 演员
Yes, 演员 is a gender-neutral term and can refer to both male and female performers.
While both refer to performers, 演员 specifically denotes actors in films and theater, whereas 表演者 can refer to performers in a broader sense, including dancers and musicians.
You can say '著名演员' (zhùmíng yǎnyuán) to refer to a famous actor.
