Meanings of 俨
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 俨
Podcast: 俨
Podcast: 俨
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 俨
严 (yán) - use 俨 (yǎn) when referring to a dignified demeanor, while 严 (yán) emphasizes strictness or severity.
Be careful not to confuse 俨 with similar sounding characters that have different meanings. It is typically used in formal contexts, so it might not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include phrases that discuss leadership or respect, such as 俨然 (yǎnrán), meaning 'dignified' or 'serious'.
Although 俨 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary list, learners at higher levels, particularly HSK 5 or 6, should take note of its use in literature and formal settings. Focus on recognizing its usage in written texts and practice using it in formal speech.
Learners often confuse 俨 with similar-sounding characters like 颜 (yán), which means 'face' or 'appearance', leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '他是一个俨' instead of '他是一个莊严的人' (Tā shì yī gè zhuāngyán de rén) to convey 'He is a solemn person' is a common mistake.
Pronunciation of 俨
Drill the tone of 俨 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Etymology of 俨
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 严 represents the sound. Simplified form of 儼.
person
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 俨
Phonosemantic compound. 亻 represents the meaning and 严 represents the sound. Simplified form of 儼.
- 1The meaning half亻 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half严 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawayperson
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 俨? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 俨?
Decomposition of 俨
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 俨?
How to say grave, respectful; majestic in Chinese
“grave, respectful; majestic” in Chinese is俨
The character 俨 (yǎn) conveys a sense of grandeur and dignity, often associated with a formal or solemn demeanor. It is commonly used to describe someone who carries themselves with respect and majesty, such as a leader or a respected elder. This word can also imply a presence that commands attention and admiration.
When to use 俨
Be careful not to confuse 俨 with similar sounding characters that have different meanings. It is typically used in formal contexts, so it might not be suitable for casual conversation. Common collocations include phrases that discuss leadership or respect, such as 俨然 (yǎnrán), meaning 'dignified' or 'serious'.
俨 or something close to it
严 (yán) - use 俨 (yǎn) when referring to a dignified demeanor, while 严 (yán) emphasizes strictness or severity.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 俨 with similar-sounding characters like 颜 (yán), which means 'face' or 'appearance', leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '他是一个俨' instead of '他是一个莊严的人' (Tā shì yī gè zhuāngyán de rén) to convey 'He is a solemn person' is a common mistake.
Write 俨
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 俨 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 俨
俨 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
她总是魅力四射，看上去____然一位明星。
She was always glam. She looked like a star.
Example Sentences for 俨 (1)
Word Family of 俨
Compound Meaning
What does 俨然 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 俨
You can say '他俨然是一位领导者' (Tā yǎnrán shì yī wèi lǐngdǎo zhě), meaning 'He is clearly a leader.'
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 俨?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.