biǎoyǎn: 表演 - To Perform, Performance, Act

• Keywords: 表演, biǎoyǎn, biao yan, perform, performance, act, show, Chinese performance, what does biaoyan mean, biaoyan in Chinese, putting on an act, acting in Chinese
• Summary: Discover the versatile Chinese word 表演 (biǎoyǎn), which means “to perform” or “performance.” This term goes beyond the stage, describing everything from a concert to a child showing off a new skill. Crucially, it's also used colloquially to mean “putting on an act” or being insincere. This guide breaks down its literal and figurative meanings, cultural significance, and practical use in modern China, helping you understand when someone is giving a genuine performance and when they're just “acting.”

• Pinyin (with tone marks): biǎo yǎn
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To perform an art form; a performance, show, or exhibition of skill.
• In a Nutshell: At its heart, `表演` is about showing something to an audience. This can be a formal performance like a play or a dance, or an informal one like a friend performing a card trick. It carries a sense of deliberate action and presentation. This is why it can also take on a negative meaning: if someone's emotions or actions seem fake and “for show,” you can say they are `表演`, or “putting on an act.”

• 表 (biǎo): This character means “surface,” “outside,” or “to show/express.” Think of it as the external appearance or what is being presented outwardly. It's found in words like `表达 (biǎodá)` meaning “to express” and `手表 (shǒubiǎo)` for “wristwatch” (which shows the time on its surface).
• 演 (yǎn): This character means “to develop,” “to drill,” or “to perform.” The water radical (氵) on the left often suggests flow or extension, while the right side provides the sound. It implies a practiced or developed action, as seen in `演讲 (yǎnjiǎng)`, “to give a speech.”
• Together: 表 (to show) + 演 (a developed act) creates `表演`, a word that perfectly captures the idea of presenting a practiced skill or art form to others.

In China, the concept of performance is deeply embedded in social life, far beyond formal theater. From a young age, children are often encouraged to `表演` a talent (e.g., sing a song, play the piano) for guests and relatives during gatherings like Chinese New Year. This is seen as a display of good upbringing and talent, bringing pride to the family. Company annual meetings (`年会 - niánhuì`) almost always feature employees putting on skits, dances, and songs. This type of `表演` is a team-building activity and a way to show a “fun” corporate culture. Comparison to Western Culture: While “performance” in the West is also broad, the negative, figurative use of `表演` in Chinese is perhaps more common and cutting. In English, you might say someone is “being dramatic” or “putting on a show.” In Chinese, telling someone “别表演了! (bié biǎoyǎn le!)” – “Stop performing!” – is a very direct accusation of insincerity or fakeness. It implies that their displayed emotions are not just exaggerated, but completely inauthentic, like an actor playing a part. This taps into the cultural value placed on sincerity and authenticity (`真实 - zhēnshí`) in personal relationships.

`表演` is a flexible word used in various contexts, with its meaning shifting based on the situation.

• As a Noun (A Performance/Show): This is the most straightforward usage. It refers to a specific event.
  • e.g., “Tonight's performance was spectacular.” (今晚的表演太精彩了。)
• As a Verb (To Perform): This refers to the action of performing.
  • e.g., “She will perform a dance.” (她要表演一个舞蹈。)
• As a Figurative Verb (To “Act” / Be Insincere): This is the crucial colloquial usage. It's often used with a negative connotation to call out fake behavior.
  • e.g., “Stop acting. I know you're not really sad.” (别表演了，我知道你不是真的难过。) This is common in arguments or when someone is suspected of manipulating a situation.

• Example 1:
  • 昨晚的京剧表演非常精彩。
  • Pinyin: Zuówǎn de jīngjù biǎoyǎn fēicháng jīngcǎi.
  • English: Last night's Peking Opera performance was brilliant.
  • Analysis: Here, `表演` is used as a noun in a formal context, referring to a specific artistic show.
• Example 2:
  • 在新年晚会上，每个孩子都要表演一个节目。
  • Pinyin: Zài xīnnián wǎnhuì shàng, měi ge háizi dōu yào biǎoyǎn yí ge jiémù.
  • English: At the New Year's party, every child has to perform an act/program.
  • Analysis: `表演` is a verb here, highlighting the common cultural practice of children performing for adults.
• Example 3:
  • 别表演了，我知道你不是真心想帮忙。
  • Pinyin: Bié biǎoyǎn le, wǒ zhīdào nǐ bú shì zhēnxīn xiǎng bāngmáng.
  • English: Stop putting on an act, I know you don't sincerely want to help.
  • Analysis: This is the classic negative, figurative usage. It's a direct accusation of insincerity. The `别…了` structure means “stop doing…”.
• Example 4:
  • 他在老板面前总是表演得很努力。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài lǎobǎn miànqián zǒngshì biǎoyǎn de hěn nǔlì.
  • English: He always puts on a show of working hard in front of the boss.
  • Analysis: This is another figurative example, implying his hard work is just for show (`作秀 - zuòxiù`) and not genuine. The `得` particle connects the verb `表演` to the description of the action (`很努力`).
• Example 5:
  • 小丑的表演让观众们哈哈大笑。
  • Pinyin: Xiǎochǒu de biǎoyǎn ràng guānzhòngmen hāhā dà xiào.
  • English: The clown's performance made the audience roar with laughter.
  • Analysis: A neutral, literal use of `表演` as a noun.
• Example 6:
  • 你能给我们表演一下你的新魔术吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ néng gěi wǒmen biǎoyǎn yíxià nǐ de xīn móshù ma?
  • English: Can you perform your new magic trick for us?
  • Analysis: A friendly, informal request using `表演` as a verb. The `一下 (yíxià)` softens the request, making it sound casual.
• Example 7:
  • 她的表演天赋很高，很小就出名了。
  • Pinyin: Tā de biǎoyǎn tiānfù hěn gāo, hěn xiǎo jiù chūmíng le.
  • English: Her performance talent is very high; she became famous when she was very young.
  • Analysis: `表演` is used here as a descriptor in the compound noun `表演天赋` (performance talent).
• Example 8:
  • 我觉得他说爱我只是一场表演。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juéde tā shuō ài wǒ zhǐshì yì chǎng biǎoyǎn.
  • English: I feel that his saying he loved me was just a performance.
  • Analysis: A powerful, negative use of `表演` as a noun. `一场 (yì chǎng)` is a measure word for events like performances or movies, reinforcing the idea of a staged act.
• Example 9:
  • 这位演员的表演非常有感染力。
  • Pinyin: Zhè wèi yǎnyuán de biǎoyǎn fēicháng yǒu gǎnrǎnlì.
  • English: This actor's performance is very infectious/moving.
  • Analysis: A positive and professional use of `表演` as a noun, praising an actor's skill.
• Example 10:
  • 他在面试中表演出了极大的自信。
  • Pinyin: Tā zài miànshì zhōng biǎoyǎn chūle jí dà de zìxìn.
  • English: He performed with (or showed) great confidence in the interview.
  • Analysis: This is a slightly ambiguous usage. It could mean he genuinely projected confidence, or it could hint that the confidence was an “act.” The context would determine the exact meaning. The `出 (chū)` after the verb indicates the action was brought out or expressed.

• `表演` vs. `演出` (yǎnchū): This is a common point of confusion.
  • `演出 (yǎnchū)` is more formal and almost always refers to a scheduled, public show like a concert, play, or opera. It's typically a noun. You buy tickets for a `演出`.
  • `表演 (biǎoyǎn)` is much broader. It can refer to a formal `演出`, but also to an informal skill demonstration (a magic trick), and it carries the negative figurative meaning of “putting on an act.” You wouldn't use `演出` to accuse someone of being fake.
  • *Example:* The theater has a `演出` (show) tonight. In the show, the actors will `表演` (perform) very well.
• “False Friend” with “To Act”: While `表演` can mean “to perform” in a play, the word for “to act a role” is more specifically `扮演 (bànyǎn)`. The most common mistake is misinterpreting the negative meaning. When a Chinese person says someone is `表演`, it's not that they are “being dramatic,” but that they are being inauthentic. It's an attack on their sincerity, not their level of emotion.
• Incorrect Usage:
  • Wrong: ~~天气在表演下雨。~~ (Tiānqì zài biǎoyǎn xià yǔ.)
  • Reason: `表演` implies intent and a performer. Natural phenomena like rain don't “perform.”
  • Correct: 天在下雨。(Tiān zài xià yǔ.) - It's raining.

• 演出 (yǎnchū) - A more formal term for a public performance or show (e.g., concert, play). Less versatile than `表演`.
• 演员 (yǎnyuán) - The person who performs; an actor or performer. Literally “performance member.”
• 节目 (jiémù) - A program, an item on a show, a routine. This is the *what* that is being performed.
• 扮演 (bànyǎn) - To play a role, to act as (a character). More specific than `表演` for theatrical acting.
• 演讲 (yǎnjiǎng) - A speech or lecture. A specific type of verbal performance.
• 假装 (jiǎzhuāng) - To pretend, feign, or fake. A close synonym for the negative, insincere meaning of `表演`.
• 作秀 (zuòxiù) - (from “to do a show”) A very negative slang term for putting on a publicity stunt or doing something just for appearances. It's an even stronger version of the negative sense of `表演`.
• 才艺 (cáiyì) - Talent and skill, especially artistic ones that can be performed for others. A child might be asked to perform a `才艺`.