主演 zhǔyǎn to play the leading role
to play the leading role; to star; lead actor
How to remember 主演: 主 lord + 演 perform = to play the leading role.
Characters
How it is used
- To star in, play the lead - 由他主演 (yóu tā zhǔyǎn) starring him; also the noun 'lead actor'.
- Film/TV vocabulary; the star is the 主演, the character is the 主角 (zhǔjué).
- 演 = to perform; contrast 导演 (dǎoyǎn, director).