上
演

About

The word 上演 is formed through the direct and metaphorical combination of its two component characters: 上, meaning "up" or "upon", and 演, meaning "to perform" or "to enact". It conceptually layers the idea of a performance (演) being lifted "up onto" (上) a stage or into public view, creating the composite meaning of "to stage" or "to put on a show", where the action is visually imagined as bringing a performance up and into existence before an audience.

Example Sentences Hide

这个周末将上演一部新话剧。

Zhè ge zhōumò jiāng shàngyǎn yī bù xīn huàjù.

A new play will be performed this weekend.

下个月，这个剧院会上演经典歌剧。

Xià gè yuè, zhè gè jùyuàn huì shàngyǎn jīngdiǎn gējù.

Next month, this theater will stage a classic opera.

国家大剧院正在上演莎士比亚的著名悲剧。

Guójiā Dà Jùyuàn zhèngzài shàngyǎn Shāshìbǐyǎ de zhùmíng bēijù.

The National Centre for the Performing Arts is currently performing a famous tragedy by Shakespeare.

这座城市的不同剧场每晚都在上演着精彩纷呈的节目。

Zhè zuò chéngshì de bùtóng jùchǎng měi wǎn dōu zài shàngyǎn zhe jīngcǎi fēnchéng de jiémù.

Different theaters in this city put on splendid shows every night.

现实生活中时常上演着比戏剧更为荒诞的情节。

Xiànshí shēnghuó zhōng shícháng shàngyǎn zhe bǐ xìjù gèng wéi huāngdàn de qíngjié.

In real life, plots more absurd than those in dramas are often played out.

Word Definition - 上演

shàng yǎn to screen (a movie); to stage (a play); a screening; a staging

Individual Character Details

上 shǎng, shàng
演 yǎn