Chinese word

扮演

Pronunciation

Pinyinbàn yǎn

Meaning

  • verbact as

Example

孩子们在表演中扮演各种动物。hái zi men zài biáo yǎn zhōng bàn yǎn gè zhǒng dòng wù

The children act as various animals in the performance.

Illustration for 扮演 (act as)

More examples

在公司项目中，他扮演重要角色，负责协调各方。zài gōng sī xiàng mù zhōng tā bàn yǎn zhòng yào jué sè fù zé xié tiáo gè fāng

In the company project, he played an important role and was responsible for coordinating all parties.

Core concept

A person or thing takes on a defined role and acts or functions through it.

Common phrases

  • 扮演角色bàn yǎn jué sè

    play a role

  • 扮演重要角色bàn yǎn zhòng yào jué sè

    play an important role

Similar words

表演biáo yǎn: Acting before an audience to present a scene, feelings, or a story.
饰演shì yǎn: Playing a particular character in a film or stage production and bringing that character to life.
充当chōng dāng: Serving in a particular role or function within a given situation.
承担chéng dān: Taking responsibility for a duty or burden and continuing to bear it.

Definition in Chinese

承担并表现某种角色或作用，根据该角色行事，既可指演员演出，也可指事物或人具有并发挥特定作用（如扮演重要角色）。chéng dān bìng biǎo xiàn móu zhǒng jué sè huò zuò yòng gēn jù gāi jué sè xíng shì jì kě zhǐ yǎn yuán yǎn chū yě kě zhǐ shì wù huò rén jù yǒu bìng fā huī tè dìng zuò yòng rú bàn yǎn zhòng yào jué sè

Word origin

扮演 (bànyǎn, "to play a role") joins 扮 (bàn, "dress up as") + 演 (yǎn, "perform"), and its original performance sense extends naturally to practical functions.

Usage tips

  • Native English speakers may first connect this verb with theater, but everyday Chinese also applies it to non-actors when they take on a practical role.

Related words

  • 扮演者bàn yán zhěactornoun

Word lists with this word