HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #13602, Very Hard
宴
yàn
repose
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #13602, Very Hard
宴
yàn
banquet, feast; to entertain
HSK 7, n, 10 strokes, radical 宀, rank #13602, Very Hard
yàn(yan4) T4
1feast
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#13602DifficultyVery Hard
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
Podcast: 宴
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 宴 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
1The giveawayA woman 女 cooking food 日 for a house 宀 banquet
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 宴? 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 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?
How to say feast in Chinese
“feast” in Chinese is宴yàn
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.
When to use 宴
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.
宴 or something close to it
宴 (yàn) vs 聚 (jù) — choose 宴 for formal banquets or feasts, while 聚 refers to gatherings that may not involve a meal.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 宴
宴
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
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.
