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March 24, 2026
偃yǎn(Yan3)
The character 偃 (yǎn) primarily means to cease or lay down, often used in contexts where something is brought to a stop or is laid to rest. It can also refer to a surname in Chinese culture. The nuance of this term suggests a gentle or deliberate cessation rather than a sudden halt.
Strokes11Radical亻Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In ancient Chinese texts, the concept of laying down or ceasing activities is often associated with peace and contemplation, reflecting the value placed on rest and reflection in Chinese philosophy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person laying down to rest after a long day, embodying the essence of 'ceasing' activities. The character 偃 features the radical 亻 (person) on the left, reminding you that it's a person who lays down and stops their activities.
Meanings of 偃
yǎn(Yan3)
1to cease, to lay down, to lay off
2to stop
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 偃
偃Simplified
11Strokes
亻Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 偃
Podcast: 偃
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AI Study Notes for 偃
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person laying down to rest after a long day, embodying the essence of 'ceasing' activities. The character 偃 features the radical 亻 (person) on the left, reminding you that it's a person who lays down and stops their activities.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing 偃 with similar-looking characters or using it in overly formal contexts. It is generally used in literary or historical contexts rather than in everyday conversation, so be cautious of its register.
HSK Study Tips
While 偃 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance your grasp of more advanced characters and phrases. Focus on its usage in classical texts to see how it connects with other literary expressions.
Cultural Note
In ancient Chinese texts, the concept of laying down or ceasing activities is often associated with peace and contemplation, reflecting the value placed on rest and reflection in Chinese philosophy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 偃 with 停 (tíng) which also means to stop but lacks the gentle nuance. For example, saying '他停下来' (tā tíng xià lái) instead of '他偃下来' (tā yǎn xià lái) misses the subtlety of laying down peacefully.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 偃
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Cultural Notes for 偃
🏮Cultural insight
In ancient Chinese texts, the concept of laying down or ceasing activities is often associated with peace and contemplation, reflecting the value placed on rest and reflection in Chinese philosophy.
Word Family of 偃
Words Containing This Character4
偃yǎnto stop
偃旗息鼓to give in
偃师Yanshi county level city in Luoyang 洛陽|洛阳, Henan偃師
偃师市Yanshi county level city in Luoyang 洛陽|洛阳, Henan偃師市
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 偃 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 偃
You might say '他在树下假寐，像是要偃下了' (He is napping under the tree, as if he wishes to cease for a moment).
No, it is more frequently found in literary or historical contexts rather than in everyday speech.
You can use 停止 (tíngzhǐ) which means to stop, but it carries a more abrupt tone.
