扮演 (bàn yǎn) is a verb meaning 'to act' or 'to perform a role', especially in theatrical, cinematic, or social contexts. The first character 扮 (bàn) means 'to disguise oneself' or 'to dress up as', while 演 (yǎn) means 'to perform' or 'to act'. Together, they emphasize the deliberate assumption of a specific identity or function — not just physical appearance, but behavioral embodiment. It's commonly used for roles in plays, movies, and TV shows, but also extends to real-life situations like pretending to be someone else in a simulation, taking on a professional persona, or even adopting a particular attitude in a conversation.

This word carries a neutral-to-formal register and implies intentionality and performance rather than spontaneous behavior. Unlike verbs like 装 (zhuāng, 'to pretend' — often with negative connotation), 扮演 is generally objective and context-appropriate, especially in artistic or educational settings. It’s frequently followed by the particle 为 (wéi) or the preposition 成 (chéng) to specify the role being assumed, e.g., 扮演医生 (bàn yǎn yīshēng, 'to play a doctor').