演义 (yǎnyì) · historical novel; dramatized historical narrative

演义 is a Ming/Qing genre that turns chronicles into fiction with embellished dialogue, battles, and characters. The big four are 三国演义 (Three Kingdoms), 隋唐演义 (Sui-Tang), 封神演义 (Investiture of the Gods), and 东周列国志.

memory

演 = perform, 义 = meaning/principle. To 'perform the meaning' of history - i.e. dramatize it.

In Pop Culture

三国演义 Sānguó yǎnyì

Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Luo Guanzhong's 14th-century novel about the late Han collapse and the Three Kingdoms wars - the prototype 演义 work.

Stroke Order

演 yǎn

义 yì

Related Words

义演 yìyǎn #24,618

benefit performance / charity show / performance for a good cause

演绎 yǎnyì HSK 7-9 #5,568

to deduce / to interpret / to portray / to perform (a role)

演员 yǎnyuán HSK 4 #1,048

actor; actress / performer

演戏 yǎnxì #4,276

to act (in a play or film) / to put on an act / to pretend

演唱会 yǎnchànghuì #4,150

concert (music) / live singing performance

演奏 yǎnzòu HSK 6 #3,137

to perform (music); to play (an instrument) / musical performance

演讲 yǎnjiǎng HSK 5 #2,707

to give a speech; to lecture / speech; lecture; presentation

演唱 yǎnchàng HSK 4 #2,491

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

演出 yǎnchū HSK 4 #1,191

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

演示 yǎnshì HSK 7-9 #5,972

to demonstrate / to show / demonstration