导演 (dǎoyǎn): director (film, TV, theater)

Measure Word

一位导演 wèi

Meanings

1 director (film, TV, theater)
2 to direct (a film, play, etc.)

Characters

导

dǎo

to guide; to lead; to direct

演

yǎn

to perform; to act; to develop

导 (direct/guide) + 演 (perform) = the one who directs the performance

Examples

这部电影的导演是谁？

Zhè bù diànyǐng de dǎoyǎn shì shéi?

Who is the director of this movie?

他想当导演。

Tā xiǎng dāng dǎoyǎn.

He wants to become a director.

这部戏是她导演的。

Zhè bù xì shì tā dǎoyǎn de.

This play was directed by her.

Tips

usage

导演 is both a noun (the director) and a verb (to direct). Famous Chinese directors: 张艺谋 (Zhāng Yìmóu), 李安 (Lǐ Ān / Ang Lee).

In Pop Culture

张艺谋 Zhāng Yìmóu

Zhang Yimou

directed 2008 Olympics ceremony, Hero, House of Flying Daggers

Stroke Order

导 dǎo

演 yǎn

Related Words

指导 zhǐdǎo HSK 3 #3,038

to guide; to direct; to coach / guidance; instruction

演 yǎn HSK 3 #1,066

to perform; to act; to play (a role) / to develop; to evolve / to practice; to drill

演唱会 yǎnchànghuì HSK 3 #4,150

concert (music) / live singing performance

领导 lǐngdǎo HSK 3 #2,509

leader / leadership / to lead

演唱 yǎnchàng HSK 3 #2,491

to sing (in a performance) / to perform a song

演出 yǎnchū HSK 3 #1,191

to perform; to put on a show / performance; show

演员 yǎnyuán HSK 3 #1,048

actor; actress / performer

表演 biǎoyǎn HSK 3 #500

to perform; to act / performance; show

扮演 bànyǎn HSK 5 #2,398

to play the role of; to act as / to play a part (figuratively)

引导 yǐndǎo HSK 4 #5,112

to guide / to lead / to direct