Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
閹yān(yan1)
The character 閹 (yān) refers to a eunuch, a man who has been castrated, often serving in royal courts. It can also mean to castrate in a broader sense, reflecting historical practices in imperial China where eunuchs held significant power and influence. The term is often used in discussions about historical governance and social structures.
Strokes16Radical門Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
Eunuchs played a significant role in Chinese history, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, where they often wielded considerable political power behind the scenes. Their presence is a reflection of the complex social hierarchies within imperial China.
Memory Tip
Imagine a gate (the radical 門) that leads to a palace where only eunuchs can enter. The sound 'yān' can be remembered by picturing a 'yawn' of a man who has been castrated, symbolizing a loss of vitality or power.
Meanings of 閹
yān(yan1)
1eunuch; to castrate
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 閹
閹Simplified
16Strokes
門Radical
非语素字non-morpheme character (n-m.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 閹
Podcast: 閹
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 閹
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a gate (the radical 門) that leads to a palace where only eunuchs can enter. The sound 'yān' can be remembered by picturing a 'yawn' of a man who has been castrated, symbolizing a loss of vitality or power.
Usage Notes
This term is quite formal and is rarely used in casual conversation. Common collocations include '閹人' (yān rén) meaning 'eunuch' and '閹割' (yān gē) meaning 'to castrate'. Be careful with the tone; using the wrong tone may lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although not an HSK vocabulary word, learners should note its historical context. Understanding related terms such as '王' (wáng, king) and '朝廷' (cháo tíng, court) can provide deeper insights into the role of eunuchs in Chinese history.
Cultural Note
Eunuchs played a significant role in Chinese history, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, where they often wielded considerable political power behind the scenes. Their presence is a reflection of the complex social hierarchies within imperial China.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse '閹' with similar-sounding words or use it incorrectly in modern contexts. For example, saying '我昨天閹了一只狗' (I castrated a dog yesterday) is awkward; instead, use '我昨天给狗去势' which is more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 閹
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 閹 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 閹 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 閹
🏮Cultural insight
Eunuchs played a significant role in Chinese history, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, where they often wielded considerable political power behind the scenes. Their presence is a reflection of the complex social hierarchies within imperial China.
Word Family of 閹
Words Containing This Character3
阉yānneuter閹
阉割to castrate閹割
阉人a castrate閹人
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 阉 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 閹
No, '閹' is primarily used in historical contexts and discussions about imperial China.
'去勢' (qù shì) is a more general term for 'castration', while '閹' specifically refers to eunuchs in a historical context.
It's best to avoid using '閹' in casual conversations as it is quite formal and sensitive in nature.
