演
performance, act, play, render, stage
Readings
On'yomi
- エン
Kun'yomi
—
Meaning
演 centers on carrying out a planned display for an audience: performing, acting, staging a play, or rendering a role. The idea of deliberate presentation connects all the given meanings.
Most common words using 演
24 of 284- 出演しゅつえんN1
appearance (in a film, play, TV show, etc.); performance
- 公演こうえんN1
public performance
- 演奏えんそうN3
musical performance
- 演出えんしゅつN1
direction (of a play, film, etc.); production
- 主演しゅえんN1
starring (in a film, play, etc.); playing the leading part
- 演技えんぎN3
acting; performance
- 演ずるえんずるN1
to act (a part); to play (a role)
- 講演こうえんN3
lecture; address; speech
- 共演きょうえん
appearing together (in a film, play, etc.); performing together (at a concert, etc.); acting together; co-starring; playing together (in a sports match)
- 演じるえんじるN1
to act (a part); to play (a role)
- 演説えんぜつN3
speech; address
- 演劇えんげきN3
drama; theatre; theater; play
- 演習えんしゅうN2
practice; exercise; drill
- 上演じょうえんN1
performance (of a play, opera, etc.); staging; presentation
- 演算えんざん
operation; calculation
- 演歌えんか
enka; traditional-style Japanese popular ballad
- 開演かいえん
curtain raising; starting (e.g. play, concert)
- 実演じつえん
demonstration; presentation
- 初演しょえん
first performance; premiere
- 演目えんもく
program (musical, concert, theatrical, etc.); programme
- 再演さいえん
another showing (of a play)
- 競演きょうえん
contest (between performers); competitive performance
- 演舞えんぶ
dance performance
- 助演じょえん
supporting performance; playing a supporting role
Study
Etymology
演 combines 氵 (water) with 寅, which likely contributes the sound. The water component may relate to the idea of flowing or extending, as in a performance that unfolds.
Meaning mnemonic
Water 氵 flows and spreads, and the right side 寅 looks like a stage with a roof and seats. Picture a performance flowing out across a stage.
Reading mnemonic
For エン, imagine an entertainer on stage: the first syllable 'en' of 'entertainer' cues エン while the performer acts.