Meanings of 奄
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Podcast: 奄
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AI study notes for 奄
Learners might confuse 奄 with similar-sounding characters like 阉 (to castrate) or 淹 (to submerge), so understanding the context is crucial. This character is more formal and may appear in written texts rather than spoken language, so be cautious about its usage in everyday conversations.
Though not part of any HSK level, understanding 奄 can enrich your vocabulary significantly. Connect it with other characters dealing with actions or states, like 留 (liú, to stay) or 等 (děng, to wait), to deepen your grasp of related concepts.
Learners often confuse 奄 with 阉 (to castrate) due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying 奄 instead of 阉 when discussing surgical procedures would be incorrect; ensure you understand the context to avoid such mix-ups.
Pronunciation of 奄
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Learning Lab
Knowing 奄 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.
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Etymology of 奄
Lightning (电) is a big (大) and sudden and abrupt phenomenon.
Decomposition of 奄
Parts
Which of these is part of 奄?
How to say to remain, to tarry; feeble in Chinese
“to remain, to tarry; feeble” in Chinese is奄
The character 奄 (yān) primarily relates to the idea of remaining or tarrying, often indicating a sense of delay or covering. It can also imply weakness or feebleness, and in certain contexts, it refers to a sudden action, like hastily surrounding something. This character is less commonly used in everyday conversation, making it more relevant in literary or historical texts.
When to use 奄
Learners might confuse 奄 with similar-sounding characters like 阉 (to castrate) or 淹 (to submerge), so understanding the context is crucial. This character is more formal and may appear in written texts rather than spoken language, so be cautious about its usage in everyday conversations.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 奄 with 阉 (to castrate) due to similar pronunciation. For example, saying 奄 instead of 阉 when discussing surgical procedures would be incorrect; ensure you understand the context to avoid such mix-ups.
Write 奄
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Practice writing 奄 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 奄
奄 functions as a four-character idiom (成语). Treat it as a fixed unit; it usually plays the role of a single adjective, adverb, or noun phrase inside the larger sentence. It carries 8 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
那个____奄一息的士兵痛得直哼哼.
The dying soldier was groaning with pain.
Example sentences for 奄 (2)
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Word Family of 奄
Words with 奄
What does 奄奄一息 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 奄
It's not commonly used in everyday conversations, but it relates to concepts of remaining or delaying.
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