Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
兗yǎn(yan3)
The character 兗 (yǎn) primarily means 'to establish' or 'to set up.' It is also the name of a historical province in China, known for its cultural significance. This character is often used in formal contexts related to governance or regional administration.
Strokes9Radical儿
Cultural Note
兗 is historically significant as it refers to a province in ancient China, which was known for its rich cultural heritage and historical events, particularly during the Three Kingdoms period.
Memory Tip
Imagine a wise old sage (the character 兗) establishing a new province. The left part resembles a person (亻) standing tall, representing leadership, while the right side suggests a solid foundation (冂), symbolizing the establishment of something new.
Meanings of 兗
yǎn(yan3)
1to establish; a province
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 兗
兗Simplified
9Strokes
儿Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 兗
Podcast: 兗
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 兗
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a wise old sage (the character 兗) establishing a new province. The left part resembles a person (亻) standing tall, representing leadership, while the right side suggests a solid foundation (冂), symbolizing the establishment of something new.
Usage Notes
兗 is more commonly used in written Chinese, particularly in formal documents. Be careful not to confuse it with similar-sounding characters like 研 (yán), which means 'to grind' or 'to study.' Most commonly, it appears in phrases related to governance or history.
HSK Study Tips
Though 兗 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with other characters related to governance (e.g., 建 (jiàn) for 'build'). Focus on recognizing its formal usage in historical texts and understanding its role in compound words.
Cultural Note
兗 is historically significant as it refers to a province in ancient China, which was known for its rich cultural heritage and historical events, particularly during the Three Kingdoms period.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 兗 with similar characters like 研 (yán). For example, saying '我兗一个新的项目' (Wǒ yǎn yīgè xīn de xiàngmù) is incorrect; it should be '我建立一个新的项目' (Wǒ jiànlì yīgè xīn de xiàngmù).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 兗
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 兗 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 兗 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Cultural Notes for 兗
🏮Cultural insight
兗 is historically significant as it refers to a province in ancient China, which was known for its rich cultural heritage and historical events, particularly during the Three Kingdoms period.
Word Family of 兗
Words Containing This Character3
兖州Yanzhou county level city in Jining 濟寧|济宁[Jǐníng], Shandong兗州
兖yǎnYanzhou county level city in Jining 濟寧|济宁[Jǐníng], Shandong兗
兖州市Yanzhou county level city in Jining 濟寧|济宁[Jǐníng], Shandong兗州市
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 兖州 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 兗
Common phrases include 兗州 (Yǎnzhōu), referring to the historical region, and 兗省 (Yǎnshěng), which can refer to 'establishing a province.'
兗 is pronounced as 'yǎn' with a rising tone, similar to a question in English.
It is rarely used in casual conversation; its usage is more appropriate in formal or historical contexts.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 兗?
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.
