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March 24, 2026
岩yán(yan2)
The character 岩 (yán) refers to a cliff or rock, often implying a natural formation that is steep and rugged. It is commonly used in geographical contexts to describe rocky landscapes, mountains, and cliffs, and can also signify strength and stability in a metaphorical sense.
Strokes8Radical山Frequency#6846DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, mountains and rocks are often associated with stability and strength, as seen in traditional poetry and art. The character 岩 embodies these qualities, representing not just physical landscapes but also philosophical ideals in Chinese thought.
Memory Tip
Think of 岩 as a tall mountain (山) made of solid stone (石). Imagine a giant rock formation that stands firm against the elements, emphasizing its strength and permanence. The pronunciation 'yán' sounds like 'yarn,' which can remind you of weaving a story about this mighty rock.
Meanings of 岩
yán(yan2)
1cliff
2rock
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 岩
岩Simplified
8Strokes
山Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#6846Frequency Rank
Podcast: 岩
Podcast: 岩
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AI Study Notes for 岩
Quick Contrast
岩 (yán) vs 石 (shí) — use 岩 for steep, rugged natural formations, while 石 refers to stones or rocks in a more general sense.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 岩 with its variant form 巖, which is less commonly used. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in geographical discussions. Common collocations include 岩石 (rock) and 山岩 (mountain rock).
HSK Study Tips
While 岩 is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, it relates to vocabulary about nature and geography, which is crucial at HSK 3 and above. Students should focus on recognizing it in context and associating it with related terms like 山 (mountain) and 石 (stone).
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 岩 with 巖, not realizing that the latter is a variant and less common. For example, saying '我看到巖' instead of '我看到岩' can lead to misunderstandings, as 岩 is more widely recognized.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 岩
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1The giveawayThe rocks 石 that make up a mountain 山
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 岩? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 岩?
Decomposition of 岩
IDS Structure⿱山石
岩Full Character
=
山Shan1
top
石dan4
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 岩?
How to say cliff in Chinese
“cliff” in Chinese is岩yán
The character 岩 (yán) refers to a cliff or rock, often implying a natural formation that is steep and rugged. It is commonly used in geographical contexts to describe rocky landscapes, mountains, and cliffs, and can also signify strength and stability in a metaphorical sense.
When to use 岩
Be careful not to confuse 岩 with its variant form 巖, which is less commonly used. This character is generally used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in geographical discussions. Common collocations include 岩石 (rock) and 山岩 (mountain rock).
岩 or something close to it
岩 (yán) vs 石 (shí) — use 岩 for steep, rugged natural formations, while 石 refers to stones or rocks in a more general sense.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 岩 with 巖, not realizing that the latter is a variant and less common. For example, saying '我看到巖' instead of '我看到岩' can lead to misunderstandings, as 岩 is more widely recognized.
Write 岩
岩
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Practice writing 岩 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 岩
岩 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
一名男青年从陡峭的____壁上坠崖身亡。
A young man plunged from a sheer rock face to his death.
Example Sentences for 岩 (10)
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1
一名男青年从陡峭的岩壁上坠崖身亡。
yī míng nán qīng nián cóng dǒu qiào de yán bì shàng zhuì yá shēn wáng。
A young man plunged from a sheer rock face to his death.
2
尼罗河在此处变宽，从两块花岗岩巨石间穿过。
ní luó hé zài cǐ chǔ biàn kuān， ， cóng liǎng kuài huā gǎng yán jù shí jiān chuān。
Here the Nile broadens out between the huge granite boulders.
