Skip to content
Start your Chinese Learning JourneyStart Now
赝 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
赝yànfalse, bogus; counterfeit; a shamn, 16 strokes, radical 贝, rank #70107, Very Hard
yàn(yan4)yan T4
  1. 1false, bogus; counterfeit; a sham
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

赝(贋)yàn(yan4)

The character 赝 (yàn) refers to something that is false or counterfeit, often used in contexts like counterfeit money or fake products. It implies a sense of deceit or imitation, distinguishing it from genuine items. This term is commonly used in discussions about authenticity and trustworthiness in various fields, such as art and commerce.

Strokes16Radical贝Frequency#70107DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

Counterfeiting has been a significant issue in China's economic history, especially with luxury goods, making the understanding of 赝 (yàn) relevant in discussions about consumer protection and authenticity in everyday life.

Memory Tip

Imagine a fake painting hanging in a gallery. The brush strokes look nice, but when you look closer, you see it’s just a 赝 (yàn) – a sham. The left component resembles a person holding a brush, indicating creativity, while the right part suggests something that is not real, helping you remember that 赝 means 'fake' or 'counterfeit' and sounds like 'yàn'.

Meanings of 赝

yàn(yan4)
1false, bogus; counterfeit; a sham
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

Play it, then pick what 赝 means.

About 赝

赝Simplified
贋Traditional
16Strokes
贝Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 赝

JasonAmy

Podcast: 赝

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 赝

Quick Contrast

伪 (wěi) — use 赝 (yàn) specifically for counterfeit items, while 伪 (wěi) is broader, encompassing anything false or deceptive.

Usage Notes

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 赝 (yàn); it is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include 赝品 (yànpǐn) for 'counterfeit goods.' This term is generally used in formal contexts, especially in legal or economic discussions.

HSK Study Tips

While 赝 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to broader themes of authenticity found in HSK Level 4 and 5 vocabulary, such as 真实 (zhēnshí, 'real') and 假 (jiǎ, 'false'). Students should focus on recognizing this character in reading materials related to commerce or art.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 赝 (yàn) with 假 (jiǎ). For example, saying '这幅画是假的' (zhè fú huà shì jiǎ de) is correct, but using 赝 in informal contexts can sound overly formal or academic. Make sure to use 赝 in formal discussions about authenticity.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 赝

Premium — Locked

AI tone practice

Pro

Drill the tone of 赝 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.

Tone drillsInstant feedback+5 XP
See plans to unlock

Jason Explains 赝 to You

Let me explain 赝 for you

Make it yours

Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 赝 through them.

Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

How Well Do You Know 赝?

Example

Learning Lab

Knowing 赝 is seven skills, not one.

Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.

  • MeaningFree
  • CharacterFree
  • PinyinFree
  • TonePro
  • ListeningPro
  • SpeakingPro
  • WritingPro
See the Learning Lab Three facets free · no card needed

Etymology of 赝

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

"Wild goose" 雁 money 贝; 雁 also provides the pronunciation

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

Origin

What kind of character is 赝?

Decomposition of 赝

IDS Structure⿸雁贝
赝Full Character
=
雁yan4
enclosing
贝Bei4
inner
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 赝?

How to say false, bogus; counterfeit; a sham in Chinese

“false, bogus; counterfeit; a sham” in Chinese is赝yàn

The character 赝 (yàn) refers to something that is false or counterfeit, often used in contexts like counterfeit money or fake products. It implies a sense of deceit or imitation, distinguishing it from genuine items. This term is commonly used in discussions about authenticity and trustworthiness in various fields, such as art and commerce.

When to use 赝

Be cautious with the tone when pronouncing 赝 (yàn); it is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change the meaning if mispronounced. Common collocations include 赝品 (yànpǐn) for 'counterfeit goods.' This term is generally used in formal contexts, especially in legal or economic discussions.

赝 or something close to it

伪 (wěi) — use 赝 (yàn) specifically for counterfeit items, while 伪 (wěi) is broader, encompassing anything false or deceptive.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 赝 (yàn) with 假 (jiǎ). For example, saying '这幅画是假的' (zhè fú huà shì jiǎ de) is correct, but using 赝 in informal contexts can sound overly formal or academic. Make sure to use 赝 in formal discussions about authenticity.

Write 赝

赝

Practice writing 赝 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 赝

赝 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). The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.

Exercise 1 of 2

Fill the gap

Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.

专家排除了这幅画是____品的说法。

Experts are dismissing claims that the painting is a forgery.

Example Sentences for 赝 (2)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
专家排除了这幅画是赝品的说法。

zhuān jiā pái chú le zhè fú huà shì yàn pǐn de shuō fǎ。

Experts are dismissing claims that the painting is a forgery.
2
专家们在这批艺术收藏品中发现了几件赝品.

zhuān jiā mén zài zhè pī yì shù shōu cáng pǐn zhōng fā xiàn le jī jiàn yàn pǐn.

The experts discovered several fakes in the art collection.

Ask Jason

Have a question about 赝?

Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.

Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.

Word Family of 赝

Words Containing This Character2
赝品fake贗品
赝yànfalse贋
Exercise 1 of 1

Words with 赝

What does 赝品 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 赝

You can say '这幅画是赝品' (zhè fú huà shì yànpǐn), meaning 'This painting is a counterfeit.'

Jason Recommends

Not sure what to learn after 赝?

Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.

A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.

See the Learning Lab