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March 24, 2026
演奏yǎnzòu(yan3zou4)
演奏 (yǎnzòu) refers to the act of playing a musical instrument or performing music. This term is often used in formal contexts, such as concerts or recitals, where musicians showcase their skills. It emphasizes the performance aspect, highlighting the artistic expression involved in playing music.
Frequency#3137DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, musical performances often carry a deep cultural significance, reflecting traditional values and artistic heritage. 演奏 is not just about music; it represents cultural identity, especially in contexts like Peking opera or traditional Chinese instrument performances.
Memory Tip
Think of 演奏 as 'yarn' (演) being 'woven' (奏) into a musical tapestry. Imagine a musician skillfully weaving their notes together on stage, creating a beautiful fabric of sound. The 'yarn' visual helps remember the pronunciation and the performance aspect of the character.
Meanings of 演奏
yǎnzòu(yan3zou4)
1to play a musical instrument
2to perform music
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 演奏
演奏Simplified
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#3137Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 演奏
Podcast: 演奏
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AI Study Notes for 演奏
Quick Contrast
演奏 (yǎnzòu) vs 演出 (yǎnchū): use 演奏 when focusing on the act of playing an instrument, while 演出 refers to the broader act of performing, which can include acting or other forms of artistic presentation.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 演奏 as 'yarn' (演) being 'woven' (奏) into a musical tapestry. Imagine a musician skillfully weaving their notes together on stage, creating a beautiful fabric of sound. The 'yarn' visual helps remember the pronunciation and the performance aspect of the character.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 演奏 with the more general term for 'play' (玩, wán), which is used for games and casual activities. 演奏 is used in formal contexts, so it’s best suited for music-related conversations. Common collocations include 演奏音乐 (to perform music) and 演奏乐器 (to play an instrument).
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 演奏 connects to other musical terms like 音乐 (yīnyuè, music) and 乐器 (yuèqì, musical instrument). Students should focus on understanding its use in different contexts, such as live performances, and practice using it in sentences related to music.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, musical performances often carry a deep cultural significance, reflecting traditional values and artistic heritage. 演奏 is not just about music; it represents cultural identity, especially in contexts like Peking opera or traditional Chinese instrument performances.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 演奏 in casual contexts, where 玩 is more appropriate. For example, saying '我想演奏玩游戏' (I want to perform playing a game) is incorrect; it should be '我想玩游戏'.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 演奏
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Grammar Patterns of 演奏
演奏 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. 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 4
Complete the Sentence
____钢琴的戴夫将这支曲子反复弹了两三遍。
Dave, the pianist, played it over a couple of times.
Example Sentences for 演奏 (10)
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1
演奏钢琴的戴夫将这支曲子反复弹了两三遍。
yǎn zòu gāng qín de dài fū jiāng zhè zhī qū zǐ fǎn fù dàn le liǎng sān biàn。
Dave, the pianist, played it over a couple of times.
2
这支管弦乐队呈现了精彩的演奏，堪称其多年来的巅峰演奏。
zhè zhī guǎn xián lè duì chéng xiàn le jīng cǎi de yǎn zòu， ， kān chēng qí duō nián lái de diān fēng yǎn。
The orchestra contrived to produce some of its best playing for years.
3
这位领导人也学会了演奏得更加优美动听。
zhè wèi lǐng dǎo rén yě xué huì le yǎn zòu dé gēng jiā yōu měi dòng tīng。
The leader has also learned to play more melodically.
4
一名身穿晚礼服的表演者用小提琴演奏了几段古典音乐。
yī míng shēn chuān wǎn lǐ fú de biǎo yǎn zhě yòng xiǎo tí qín yǎn zòu le jī duàn gǔ diǎn yīn lè。
A performer in evening dress plays classical selections on the violin.
5
有些段落他演奏得异常徐缓，听上去有些忧伤。
yǒu xiē duàn luò tā yǎn zòu dé yì cháng xú huǎn， ， tīng shàng qù yǒu xiē yōu。
He plays some passages so slowly that they become lugubrious.
6
他的小号演奏独创一格。
tā de xiǎo hào yǎn zòu dú chuàng yī gé。
His playing as a trumpet player was quite revolutionary.
Play the piece over and over until you do it right.
8
开始演奏前, 哈利先行调好他的班卓琴.
kāi shǐ yǎn zòu qián, , hā lì xiān háng tiáo hǎo tā de bān zhuó.
Before he began to play, Harry tuned up his banjo.
9
“他们演奏经典摇滚乐，”她的男朋友说道，“我爸爸也喜欢他们。”
“ “ tā mén yǎn zòu jīng diǎn yáo gǔn，” lè ，” tā de nán péng yǒu，“ shuō dào ，“ wǒ bà bà yě xǐ。”
"They play classic rock'n"roll,' states her boyfriend, "My dad digs them too."
10
谁能否认他是世界上最伟大的大提琴演奏家呢？
shuí néng fǒu rèn tā shì shì jiè shàng zuì wěi dà de dà tí qín yǎn zòu jiā ne？
Who can deny his stature as the world's greatest cellist?
Cultural Notes for 演奏
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, musical performances often carry a deep cultural significance, reflecting traditional values and artistic heritage. 演奏 is not just about music; it represents cultural identity, especially in contexts like Peking opera or traditional Chinese instrument performances.
Frequently Asked Questions about 演奏
演奏 specifically refers to playing musical instruments, while 表演 (biǎoyǎn) is a broader term that means to perform, including acting and other performances.
Yes, 演奏 can refer to any type of music, but it's primarily used in formal or artistic contexts.
You can use 演奏 with various instruments, such as 钢琴 (gāngqín, piano), 小提琴 (xiǎotíqín, violin), or 吉他 (jítā, guitar).
