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堰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
堰yàndam, dike, embankmentns, 12 strokes, radical 土
堰yànweirunknown, 12 strokes, radical 土
yàn(yan4)yan T4
  1. 1dam, dike, embankment
  2. 2weir
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March 24, 2026

堰yàn(yan4)

The character 堰 (yàn) refers to a dam or dike, structures built to control water flow in rivers and streams. It is commonly used in discussions about irrigation, flood control, and water management in agricultural contexts.

Strokes12Radical土
Cultural note

In China, water management is crucial due to the vast agricultural needs and historical flooding issues. The construction of dams and weirs has played a significant role in the country's development and food security.

Memory tip

Imagine a giant 'yawn' (sounds like 'yàn') as a dam blocks a river, holding back water. The structure itself looks like a wall (土, meaning earth) that keeps water at bay, reminding you of its purpose.

Meanings of 堰

yàn(yan4)
1dam, dike, embankment
2weir
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 堰

堰Simplified
12Strokes
土Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

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Podcast: 堰

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AI study notes for 堰

Quick Contrast

堤 (dī) - use 堰 for structures specifically controlling water flow, while 堤 refers to an embankment or levee that may not necessarily control flow.

Usage Notes

Be careful not to confuse 堰 (yàn) with other similar words like 水坝 (shuǐ bà, dam) in more general contexts. This word is more specific and is often used in formal discussions about water management. Remember to use it in contexts relating to engineering and agriculture.

HSK Study Tips

While 堰 is not in the HSK curriculum, its components can connect to other HSK Level 3 words like 土 (tǔ, earth) and 水 (shuǐ, water). Focus on understanding how this character fits into discussions of natural resources and infrastructure.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 堰 with other similar terms for water barriers. For instance, using 堰 to mean any dam is incorrect; it specifically refers to types of barriers that regulate water flow and is less general than 水坝.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 堰

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Etymology of 堰

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory hint

earth

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

Origin

堰 = 土 + 匽. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 堰

IDS Structure⿰土匽
堰Full character
=
土Tu3
left
匽yan3
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 堰?

How to say dam, dike, embankment in Chinese

“dam, dike, embankment” in Chinese is堰yàn

The character 堰 (yàn) refers to a dam or dike, structures built to control water flow in rivers and streams. It is commonly used in discussions about irrigation, flood control, and water management in agricultural contexts.

When to use 堰

Be careful not to confuse 堰 (yàn) with other similar words like 水坝 (shuǐ bà, dam) in more general contexts. This word is more specific and is often used in formal discussions about water management. Remember to use it in contexts relating to engineering and agriculture.

堰 or something close to it

堤 (dī) - use 堰 for structures specifically controlling water flow, while 堤 refers to an embankment or levee that may not necessarily control flow.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 堰 with other similar terms for water barriers. For instance, using 堰 to mean any dam is incorrect; it specifically refers to types of barriers that regulate water flow and is less general than 水坝.

Write 堰

堰

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

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Word Family of 堰

Words containing this character12
堰yànweir
围堰a cofferdam圍堰
都江堰Dujiangyan county level city in Chengdu 成都[Chéng​dū], Sichuan
十堰Shiyan prefecture level city in Hubei
十堰市Shiyan prefecture level city in Hubei
都江堰市Dujiangyan county level city in Chengdu 成都[Chéng​dū], Sichuan
姜堰Jiangyan county level city in Taizhou 泰州[Tài​zhōu], Jiangsu薑堰
姜堰市Jiangyan county level city in Taizhou 泰州[Tài​zhōu], Jiangsu薑堰市
塘堰irrigation pond or dam
堰塞湖dammed lake
戚墅堰Qishu district of Changzhou city 常州市[Cháng​zhōu​shì], Jiangsu慼墅堰
戚墅堰区Qishu district of Changzhou city 常州市[Cháng​zhōu​shì], Jiangsu慼墅堰區
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 堰

What does 围堰 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 堰

It is pronounced as 'yàn', with a falling tone.

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