演

Phono-semantic compound:

水 (water radical) – semantic, relating to flow, spreading, extending;

寅 (sign of the tiger; phonetic element) – provides sound.

Original sense: water flowing outward, extending and spreading over an area.

From the image of water spreading, the meaning broadened to abstract senses:

- “to unfold, to elaborate;”

- “to perform” (as in drama or music);

- “to act out, to demonstrate.”

Semantic range:

- physical: to spread, to extend, to flow outward;

- intellectual: to explain, to elaborate, to interpret;

- artistic: to perform, to act, to play a role;

- developmental: to evolve, to progress, to unfold.

In modern contexts, 演 is strongly tied to performing arts and public speaking, while still retaining its core sense of “unfolding, extending.”

공연 (公演) – public performance

주연 (主演) – leading role (main actor/actress)

연기 (演技) – acting, performance

연설 (演說) – speech, lecture

연주 (演奏) – musical performance

연역 (演繹) – deduction, logical reasoning