yǎnchū: 演出 - Performance, Show, To Perform

yǎnchū: 演出 - Performance, Show, To Perform

Quick Summary

Keywords: yanchu, 演出, Chinese performance, Chinese show, to perform in Chinese, concert in Chinese, theater performance, yanchu meaning, what does yanchu mean, Chinese for show, HSK 4 vocabulary.
Summary: Learn the essential Chinese word yǎnchū (演出), a versatile term that means “performance,” “show,” or the verb “to perform.” This comprehensive guide explores its meaning, from a major concert to a school play. Discover how yǎnchū is used in modern China, understand its cultural context, and master its usage with practical example sentences. This page is perfect for beginners wanting to talk about shows, theater, and live events in Mandarin.

Core Meaning

Pinyin (with tone marks): yǎnchū
Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
HSK Level: HSK 4
Concise Definition: To perform publicly; a performance or show.
In a Nutshell: `演出` is your go-to, all-purpose word for any kind of public performance. Think of it as the umbrella term that covers everything from a rock concert and a ballet to a magic show or a school play. It can refer to the event itself (the show) or the action of putting on that show (to perform). If you want to talk about seeing a show or a band performing, `演出` is almost always the right word.

Character Breakdown

演 (yǎn): This character means to act, to perform, or to develop. The left side is the water radical (氵), suggesting a “flow.” The right side provides the sound and a sense of extension. Together, they create the idea of a story or action “flowing out” or being demonstrated for others.
出 (chū): This character simply means “to go out” or “to emerge.” It's a pictograph of a foot (止) stepping out of a cave or dwelling (凵).
Combined Meaning: The characters literally combine to mean “perform-out” or “act-out.” This perfectly captures the essence of taking an art form—like music, drama, or dance—and presenting it out in a public space for an audience to see.

Cultural Context and Significance

In China, performance (`演出`) has a deep and storied history, from ancient court dances and shadow puppetry to the world-renowned Beijing Opera (`京剧`). Today, it encompasses a massive range of modern entertainment, including C-pop concerts, avant-garde theater, and stand-up comedy (`脱口秀`).
The term `演出` itself is a neutral, broad container for all these activities. It doesn't carry the “high-art” or “low-art” baggage that English words like “recital” vs. “gig” might imply. A street performer and a national symphony orchestra can both be described as giving a `演出`.
Comparison to Western Culture: In English, we tend to use very specific words: concert, play, show, recital, gig. While Chinese also has these specific terms (e.g., `音乐会` for concert), `演出` is used much more frequently as a general-purpose word than “show” or “performance” is in English. It's common to ask a friend, “你想去看演出吗？” (Do you want to go see a show?), leaving the specific type of show to be clarified later. This reflects a practical linguistic approach where a single, versatile word covers a wide and common concept.

Practical Usage in Modern China

As a Noun (“a performance/show”): This is its most common usage. You can talk about the time, location, quality, and type of a `演出`.
- `今晚的演出很精彩。` (Tonight's performance was brilliant.)
- `我们去看一场演出吧！` (Let's go see a show!)
As a Verb (“to perform”): This refers to the act of putting on a show, usually in a formal or public setting. The subject is typically a group, a band, or a professional.
- `这个乐队每个月都在这里演出。` (This band performs here every month.)
- `他们演出了莎士比亚的《哈姆雷特》。` (They performed Shakespeare's “Hamlet.”)
In Daily Conversation: People use `演出` to make plans, buy tickets (`演出票`), and discuss events they've seen on social media like Weibo or Douyin. It's a key vocabulary word for participating in modern social life.

Example Sentences

Example 1:
- 我买了两张周六的演出票。
- Pinyin: Wǒ mǎile liǎng zhāng zhōuliù de yǎnchū piào.
- English: I bought two tickets for Saturday's show.
- Analysis: Here, `演出` is used as a noun, modifying `票` (piào - ticket) to mean “show ticket.” This is a very common and practical sentence.
Example 2:
- 昨晚的演出你觉得怎么样？
- Pinyin: Zuówǎn de yǎnchū nǐ juéde zěnmeyàng?
- English: What did you think of last night's performance?
- Analysis: A classic conversational question. `演出` functions as a noun, referring to the entire event.
Example 3:
- 由于天气原因，今天的户外演出被取消了。
- Pinyin: Yóuyú tiānqì yuányīn, jīntiān de hùwài yǎnchū bèi qǔxiāo le.
- English: Due to the weather, today's outdoor performance has been canceled.
- Analysis: This sentence demonstrates `演出` as a noun in a more formal context, like an official announcement.
Example 4:
- 那个年轻的乐队将在音乐节上首次演出。
- Pinyin: Nàge niánqīng de yuèduì jiāng zài yīnyuèjié shàng shǒucì yǎnchū.
- English: That young band will perform for the first time at the music festival.
- Analysis: Here, `演出` is used as a verb, meaning “to perform.” The context is a public, scheduled event (the music festival).
Example 5:
- 他的女儿要在学校的圣诞演出中扮演一个角色。
- Pinyin: Tā de nǚ'ér yào zài xuéxiào de shèngdàn yǎnchū zhōng bànyǎn yí ge juésè.
- English: His daughter is going to play a role in the school's Christmas show.
- Analysis: Shows that `演出` is not just for professionals. A school show is also a `演出`.
Example 6:
- 这场演出的灯光和音响效果都非常棒。
- Pinyin: Zhè chǎng yǎnchū de dēngguāng hé yīnxiǎng xiàoguǒ dōu fēicháng bàng.
- English: The lighting and sound effects of this performance were excellent.
- Analysis: `场 (chǎng)` is a measure word for events, often used with `演出`.
Example 7:
- 演出者们在后台紧张地准备着。
- Pinyin: Yǎnchūzhěmen zài hòutái jǐnzhāng de zhǔnbèi zhe.
- English: The performers were preparing nervously backstage.
- Analysis: `演出者 (yǎnchūzhě)` is a compound word for “performer,” built directly from our target word.
Example 8:
- 他们计划在全国巡回演出。
- Pinyin: Tāmen jìhuà zài quánguó xúnhuí yǎnchū.
- English: They plan to go on a national tour (literally: “tour and perform”).
- Analysis: `巡回演出 (xúnhuí yǎnchū)` is a set phrase for “to tour” or a “performance tour.”
Example 9:
- 演出将在晚上七点半准时开始。
- Pinyin: Yǎnchū jiāng zài wǎnshang qī diǎn bàn zhǔnshí kāishǐ.
- English: The performance will begin punctually at 7:30 PM.
- Analysis: Simple and clear, using `演出` as the subject of the sentence.
Example 10:
- 她的演出感动了在场的每一位观众。
- Pinyin: Tā de yǎnchū gǎndòngle zàichǎng de měi yí wèi guānzhòng.
- English: Her performance moved every member of the audience present.
- Analysis: Shows the emotional impact a `演出` (performance) can have.

Nuances and Common Mistakes

`演出 (yǎnchū)` vs. `表演 (biǎoyǎn)`: This is the most critical distinction for learners.
- `演出 (yǎnchū)` refers to the entire event or show, often a formal, scheduled one with a stage and audience (e.g., a concert, a play).
- `表演 (biǎoyǎn)` refers to the skill or act of performing, which can be a part of a `演出` or a more casual act.
- Think of it this way: A magician `表演 (biǎoyǎn)` several magic tricks during his one-hour `演出 (yǎnchū)`. You might `表演` a song for your friends at a KTV, but you wouldn't say you are having a `演出` there.
- Incorrect: `我想在派对上演出一首歌。` (I want to perform a song at the party.)
- Correct: `我想在派对上表演一首歌。` (The act is casual and a single item, so `表演` is better.)
Don't overuse specific terms: A beginner might translate “Let's go to the concert” as `我们去看音乐会吧`. This is correct, but it's often more natural and common for a native speaker to just say `我们去看演出吧` (Let's go to the show), unless the specific type of show is the most important piece of information. `演出` is a safe and versatile default.

Related Terms and Concepts

表演 (biǎoyǎn) - To perform; a performance. Focuses on the individual skill or act, often more casual than `演出`.
节目 (jiémù) - A program; an item on a program. A `演出` is made up of one or more `节目`.
音乐会 (yīnyuèhuì) - Concert. A specific type of `演出` that involves music.
话剧 (huàjù) - Stage play; modern drama. A specific type of `演出` that involves acting and dialogue.
演员 (yǎnyuán) - Actor/actress. A type of `演出者` (performer).
观众 (guānzhòng) - Audience. The people who watch a `演出`.
舞台 (wǔtái) - Stage. The physical platform where a `演出` takes place.
门票 (ménpiào) - Entrance ticket. Often used for a `演出`, interchangeable with `演出票`.
演唱会 (yǎnchànghuì) - Vocal concert (singing). A more specific type of `音乐会`.
戏剧 (xìjù) - Drama; play; theater. The general art form that is presented in a theatrical `演出`.

Table of Contents

yǎnchū: 演出 - Performance, Show, To Perform

Quick Summary

Core Meaning

Character Breakdown

Cultural Context and Significance

Practical Usage in Modern China

Example Sentences

Nuances and Common Mistakes

Related Terms and Concepts