Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
嚥yàn(yan4)
The character 嚥 (yàn) means 'to swallow' or 'to gulp.' It is commonly used in medical contexts or when discussing food and drink. The nuance of this word often implies a deliberate action of swallowing rather than a casual or accidental one.
Strokes19Radical口Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the act of swallowing is considered significant, often linked to digestion and health. Proper swallowing is seen as essential for good health, reflecting the cultural belief in the importance of food and nourishment.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant 'yawn' (sounds like 'yàn') that opens wide to swallow a huge gulp of water. The character 嚥 has the component '口' (mouth) at the bottom, emphasizing the action of swallowing.
Meanings of 嚥
yàn(yan4)
1to swallow, to gulp
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 嚥
嚥Simplified
19Strokes
口Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 嚥
Podcast: 嚥
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 嚥
Quick Contrast
吞 (tūn) - use 嚥 (yàn) when emphasizing the deliberate action of swallowing, while 吞 (tūn) can imply a more general or less conscious act.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant 'yawn' (sounds like 'yàn') that opens wide to swallow a huge gulp of water. The character 嚥 has the component '口' (mouth) at the bottom, emphasizing the action of swallowing.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 嚥 with 吞 (tūn), which also means 'to swallow' but is more general. 嚥 is typically used in more formal or clinical contexts. Be cautious with the fourth tone in pronunciation.
HSK Study Tips
While 嚥 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other food-related terms like 吃 (chī, eat) and 喝 (hē, drink). Focus on the proper pronunciation and usage in medical scenarios to enhance your understanding.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the act of swallowing is considered significant, often linked to digestion and health. Proper swallowing is seen as essential for good health, reflecting the cultural belief in the importance of food and nourishment.
Common Mistakes
Students may confuse 嚥 with 吞 (tūn) and use them interchangeably, but this is incorrect. For example, saying '我想嚥饭' (Wǒ xiǎng yàn fàn) instead of '我想吞饭' (Wǒ xiǎng tūn fàn) can lead to misunderstanding, as 吞 is the more general term for swallowing.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嚥
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 嚥 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 嚥 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 嚥
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the act of swallowing is considered significant, often linked to digestion and health. Proper swallowing is seen as essential for good health, reflecting the cultural belief in the importance of food and nourishment.
Word Family of 嚥
Words Containing This Character16
咽yànthroat
咽喉yānhóuthroat
咽下to swallow嚥下
吞咽to swallow吞嚥
哽咽to choke with emotion
狼吞虎咽lángtūnhǔyànto gorge oneself狼吞虎嚥
呜咽wūyèto sob嗚咽
咽气to die嚥氣
鼻咽癌cancers of the nose and throat
咽炎pharyngitis
细嚼慢咽to eat slowly (idiom)細嚼慢嚥
咽鼓管auditory tube
抽咽to sob
咽峡炎angina咽峽炎
咽峡isthmus of the fauces咽峽
咽头pharynx咽頭
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 咽 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嚥
Common phrases include '嚥下困难' (yànxià kùnnán), meaning 'difficulty swallowing.'
It's more common in formal settings, such as medical discussions, rather than casual conversations.
Ensure you emphasize the fourth tone (yàn) and practice with similar sounding words to avoid confusion.
