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宴 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
宴yànfeastHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #13602, Hard
宴yànreposeHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #13602, Hard
宴yànbanquet, feast; to entertainHSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #13602, Hard
yàn(yan4) T4
  1. 1feast
  2. 2repose
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

宴yàn(yan4)

The character 宴 (yàn) refers to a banquet or feast, often associated with celebratory gatherings involving food and drink. It can also imply a sense of repose or leisure, indicating a time for relaxation and enjoyment. This term is commonly used in formal contexts, such as weddings or significant celebrations.

Strokes10Radical宀Frequency#13602DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, feasts often symbolize unity and harmony among family and friends, particularly during festivals like the Spring Festival and weddings. The concept of gathering for a banquet reflects the importance of relationships and shared experiences in Chinese society.

Memory Tip

Imagine a grand feast where people are gathered around a table. The roof (宀) represents shelter and comfort, while the character's lower part (宴) visually resembles a banquet table filled with delicious food. The pronunciation 'yàn' can remind you of 'yum', emphasizing the joy of eating.

Meanings of 宴

yàn(yan4)
1feast
2repose
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 宴

宴Simplified
10Strokes
宀Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#13602Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7

Podcast: 宴

JasonAmy

Podcast: 宴

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 宴

Quick Contrast

宴 (yàn) vs 聚 (jù) — choose 宴 for formal banquets or feasts, while 聚 refers to gatherings that may not involve a meal.

Memory Mnemonic

Imagine a grand feast where people are gathered around a table. The roof (宀) represents shelter and comfort, while the character's lower part (宴) visually resembles a banquet table filled with delicious food. The pronunciation 'yàn' can remind you of 'yum', emphasizing the joy of eating.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 宴 with similar characters like 饭 (fàn, rice/meal), leading to misinterpretation of contexts. 宴 is more formal and should be used in celebratory or official contexts. Remember to maintain the fourth tone when pronouncing it to avoid confusion with other words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 宴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects to themes of social interactions and dining that appear in HSK Level 3 and above. Focus on using 宴 in sentences related to celebrations or gatherings to reinforce your understanding of social vocabulary.

Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, feasts often symbolize unity and harmony among family and friends, particularly during festivals like the Spring Festival and weddings. The concept of gathering for a banquet reflects the importance of relationships and shared experiences in Chinese society.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 宴 in casual settings, such as inviting friends over for dinner. Instead, use 宴 for formal invitations. For example, saying '我们今晚宴请你' (We invite you to a banquet tonight) is correct, but saying '我们今晚宴' (We're having a banquet tonight) sounds awkward.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 宴

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Etymology of 宴

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

A woman 女 cooking food 日 for a house 宀 banquet

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 宴?

Decomposition of 宴

IDS Structure⿱宀妟
宴Full Character
=
宀gai4
top
妟yan4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 宴?

Write 宴

宴

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

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 宴

宴 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 3 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 4

Complete the Sentence

希拉身着一件黑色针织上装来参加晚____。

Sheila had come to dinner in a black jersey top.

Common Confusions with 宴

宴vs言
yán

Different meanings but similar pronunciation.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "feast"?

or

Usage Notes for 宴

Confusion with ContextCommon Error

The character '宴' should be used specifically in contexts involving feasts or banquets. Avoid using it in unrelated contexts.

1

我们将举办一场盛大的宴。

We will hold a grand feast.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

我们将举办一场盛大的____。

We will hold a grand feast.

Example Sentences for 宴 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
希拉身着一件黑色针织上装来参加晚宴。

xī lā shēn zháo yī jiàn hēi sè zhēn zhī shàng zhuāng lái cān jiā wǎn yàn。

Sheila had come to dinner in a black jersey top.
2
他最近承办了一次总统招待会的宴席。

tā zuì jìn chéng bàn le yī cì zǒng tǒng zhāo dài huì de yàn xí。

He recently did the catering for a presidential reception.
3
我为几个密友办了晚宴。

wǒ wéi jī gè mì yǒu bàn le wǎn yàn。

I gave a dinner party for a few close friends.
4
那天晚上，我设宴招待几位好朋友。

nà tiān wǎn shàng， ， wǒ shè yàn zhāo dài jī wèi hǎo péng。

That evening, I gave a dinner party for a few close friends.
5
你替我赴宴好 吗 ?

nǐ tì wǒ fù yàn hǎo?

Will you go to the party instead of me?
6
海伦去赴宴前把头发梳理好.

hǎi lún qù fù yàn qián bǎ tóu fā shū lǐ hǎo.

Helen got up her hair before going to the dinner party.
7
有一张横贯两版的、由46人参加的宴席的照片。

yǒu yī zhāng héng guàn liǎng bǎn de、 、46 yóu 46 rén cān jiā de yàn xí de。

There was a double-page spread of a dinner for 46 people.
8
宴会常常会因为一些非常诙谐的讲话而气氛活跃，热闹非凡。

yàn huì cháng cháng huì yīn wéi yī xiē fēi cháng huī xié de jiǎng huà ér qì fēn huó yuè， ， rè nào fēi。

The dinner was often a riotous affair enlivened by superbly witty speeches.
9
在那次晚宴上，我听到他作了一番非常有说服力的陈词。

zài nà cì wǎn yàn shàng， ， wǒ tīng dào tā zuò le yī fān fēi cháng yǒu shuō fú lì de chén。

I heard him make a very eloquent speech at that dinner.
10
那天晚上，她、尼科尔森和全体工作人员吃了一顿庆功宴。

nà tiān wǎn shàng， ，、 tā 、 ní kē ěr sēn hé quán tǐ gōng zuò rén yuán chī le yī dùn qìng。

That night she, Nicholson and the crew had a celebratory dinner.

Cultural Notes for 宴

🏮Cultural insight

In Chinese culture, feasts often symbolize unity and harmony among family and friends, particularly during festivals like the Spring Festival and weddings. The concept of gathering for a banquet reflects the importance of relationships and shared experiences in Chinese society.

Word Family of 宴

Words Containing This Character20
宴会yànhuìbanquet宴會
晚宴banquet
宴yànfeast
盛宴feast
宴席banquet
宴请to invite to dinner宴請
鸿门宴Feast at Hongmen鴻門宴
婚宴wedding reception
宴会厅ballroom宴會廳
赴宴to attend a banquet
午宴lunch banquet
酒宴feast
国宴state banquet國宴
喜宴wedding banquet
卡宴Cayenne, capital of French Guiana
欢宴feast歡宴
宴饮to feast宴飲
饮宴banquet飲宴
宴乐feasting宴樂
飨宴feast饗宴
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 宴会 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 宴

While 宴 is primarily used in formal contexts, you can mention it in discussions about events or celebrations.