perform in a play; pretend; act
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to perform in a play or drama; to act
The literal meaning, referring to theatrical performance.
Tā他
cóng从
xiǎo小
jiù就
zài在
xì戏
bān班
lǐ里
yǎn演
xì戏
。
He has been performing in theater troupes since he was a child.
Zhè这
bù部
diàn电
yǐng影
lǐ里
，
tā她
yǎn饰
shì演
yī一
wèi位
gé革
mìng命
jiā家
。
In this movie, she plays a revolutionary.
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Jīn今
wǎn晚
tā他
men们
jiāng将
zài在
guó国
jiā家
dà大
jù剧
yuàn院
yǎn演
yī一
chǎng场
huà话
jù剧
。
Tonight they will perform a stage play at the National Centre for the Performing Arts.
verb
to pretend; to feign; to put on an act
informalFigurative/metaphorical meaning, often implying insincerity or deception.
Bié别
yǎn演
xì戏
le了
，
wǒ我
men们
dōu都
zhī知
dào道
zhēn真
xiàng相
。
Stop pretending; we all know the truth.
Tā她
zài在
lǐng领
dǎo导
miàn面
qián前
zǒng总
ài爱
yǎn演
xì戏
，
zhuāng装
dé得
hěn很
qín勤
fèn奋
。
She always puts on an act in front of the boss, pretending to be very diligent.
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Tā他
dào道
qiàn歉
bù不
guò过
shì是
zài在
yǎn演
xì戏
，
xīn心
lǐ里
gēn根
běn本
méi没
yǒu有
huǐ悔
yì意
。
His apology was just an act; he has no real remorse in his heart.