演
演·perform, act, deliver (a speech)
- On-yomi
- エン
- Kun-yomi
- none
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 演説 | えんぜつ | a speech, an address |
| 演奏 | えんそう | musical performance |
| 出演 | しゅつえん | appearing (on stage or TV) |
| 演じる | えんじる | to play a role, to act |
Example sentences
彼はピアノを演奏しました。
かれはぴあのをえんそうしました。
He performed on the piano.
社長の演説は三十分続きました。
しゃちょうのえんぜつはさんじゅっぷんつづきました。
The president's speech went on for thirty minutes.
その女優は母親の役を演じています。
そのじょゆうははははおやのやくをえんじています。
That actress is playing the role of the mother.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
- 演寅寅 is the right-hand part of 演 on its own; 演 adds the three-drop water radical 氵.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up 演奏 (playing music) with 演説 (giving a speech)
- Writing 演 without the 氵 radical
Memory aid
Picture it
Water (氵) flowing smoothly on and on — a performance that streams out in front of an audience.
Vocabulary using this kanji
- 演奏会えんそうかいconcert, recital
- 演奏えんそうmusical performance
- 講演するこうえんするto give a lecture
- 出演するしゅつえんするto appear (on stage, TV)
- 講演こうえんlecture, speech
- 演技えんぎacting, performance
- 演説えんぜつspeech, public address
- 演劇えんげきtheater, drama
- 演説するえんぜつするto give a speech
- 演じるえんじるto perform, play (a role)
- 演習えんしゅうseminar, practical exercise, drill
- 演出えんしゅつdirection, staging, production
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 2 of 5
What does the kanji 演 mean?