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唁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
yànto offer condolencesn, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #89124, Very Hard
yànto extend condolencesunknown, 10 strokes, radical 口, rank #89124, Very Hard
yàn(yan4) T4
  1. 1to offer condolences
  2. 2to extend condolences
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
yàn(yan4)

The character 唁 (yàn) means to offer condolences, typically in the context of expressing sympathy to someone who has experienced a loss, such as the death of a loved one. It is often used in formal settings, such as during funerals or memorial services, and carries a tone of respect and mourning.

Strokes10RadicalFrequency#89124DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, offering condolences is a significant ritual, with specific customs surrounding how to express sympathy, such as sending condolence letters or attending memorial services. The act of offering 唁 is seen as a crucial way to show respect for the deceased and support for the bereaved.

Memory Tip

Think of 唁 as a combination of the mouth (口) speaking words of comfort in times of sorrow. Picture someone gently whispering words of condolence, emphasizing the importance of compassionate communication during difficult times.

Meanings of 唁

yàn(yan4)
1to offer condolences
2to extend condolences
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 唁

Simplified
10Strokes
Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 唁

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AI Study Notes for 唁

Memory Mnemonic

Think of 唁 as a combination of the mouth (口) speaking words of comfort in times of sorrow. Picture someone gently whispering words of condolence, emphasizing the importance of compassionate communication during difficult times.

Usage Notes

Common mistakes include using 唁 in informal contexts, where more casual expressions of sympathy are appropriate. Be mindful of the register; 唁 is typically used in formal or literary settings. Phrases like '唁电' (yàn diàn) meaning 'condolence message' are common collocations.

HSK Study Tips

Although 唁 is not included in the official HSK levels, it connects to HSK 4 vocabulary related to emotions and social interactions. Focus on its usage in phrases and its role in expressions of sympathy to deepen understanding.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, offering condolences is a significant ritual, with specific customs surrounding how to express sympathy, such as sending condolence letters or attending memorial services. The act of offering 唁 is seen as a crucial way to show respect for the deceased and support for the bereaved.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 唁 with more general terms for sympathy, such as '同情' (tóngqíng), which can lead to incorrect usage. For example, using 唁 when referring to general empathy rather than loss can result in awkward phrasing.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 唁

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Etymology of 唁

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 言 represents the sound.

Memory Hint

mouth

Semantic (meaning)
+
Phonetic (sound)
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 唁?

Decomposition of 唁

IDS Structure⿰口言
Full Character
=
kou3
left
yan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 唁?

Write 唁

Practice writing stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar Patterns of 唁

唁 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). 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.

Exercise 1 of 3

Complete the Sentence

丁金斯先生前往死者家吊____。

Mr Dinkins visited the bereaved family to offer comfort.

Example Sentences for 唁 (2)

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1
丁金斯先生前往死者家吊唁。

dīng jīn sī xiān shēng qián wǎng sǐ zhě jiā diào yàn。

Mr Dinkins visited the bereaved family to offer comfort.
2
每个吊唁的人都佩带着黑纱和一朵白纸菊花.

měi gè diào yàn de rén dū pèi dài zháo hēi shā hé yī duǒ bái zhǐ jú huā.

Each mourner wore a black armband and a white paper chrysanthemum.

Cultural Notes for 唁

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, offering condolences is a significant ritual, with specific customs surrounding how to express sympathy, such as sending condolence letters or attending memorial services. The act of offering 唁 is seen as a crucial way to show respect for the deceased and support for the bereaved.

🌏Cross-cultural Insight

In Western cultures, condolences are often expressed verbally or through cards, whereas in Chinese culture, the formality and ritual surrounding the expression of sympathy can be more pronounced, reflecting deeper cultural values around death and mourning.

Word Family of 唁

Words Containing This Character5
吊唁to condole
唁电a telegram of condolence唁電
yànto extend condolences
电唁a telegraph condolence電唁
慰唁to console
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 吊唁 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 唁

You can say, '我想给她的家人送上我的唁慰' (I want to extend my condolences to her family).