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檐 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
檐yánthe eaves of a house; edge, brimHSK 6, ng, 17 strokes, radical 木, rank #54739, Hard
檐yáneavesHSK 6, unknown, 17 strokes, radical 木, rank #54739, Hard
檐yánledge or brimHSK 6, unknown, 17 strokes, radical 木, rank #54739, Hard
yán(yan2)yan T2
  1. 1the eaves of a house; edge, brim
  2. 2eaves
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March 24, 2026

檐yán(yan2)

The character 檐 (yán) refers to the eaves or overhanging edges of a roof, particularly in traditional Chinese architecture. It can also imply the edges or brims of other structures or objects. In context, it often relates to architectural features or protective overhangs that shield from rain.

Strokes17Radical木Frequency#54739DifficultyHard
Cultural note

In traditional Chinese architecture, the design of eaves is significant, as they protect the walls from rain and symbolize harmony with nature. The curvature of eaves is often aesthetically pleasing and represents balance in Feng Shui.

Memory tip

Imagine a house with a roof that has long eaves, like the edge of a hat (brim) that keeps the rain away. The character 檐 looks like a roof (the top part) with a flat edge (the horizontal line), reminding you of where the rain drips off.

Meanings of 檐

yán(yan2)
1the eaves of a house; edge, brim
2eaves
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 檐

檐Simplified
17Strokes
木Radical
名语素míngcínoun root (n.root)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6IntermediateCEFRC1

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AI study notes for 檐

Usage Notes

This character is typically used in formal contexts related to architecture and is rarely used in everyday conversation unless discussing building designs. A common mistake is confusing it with other similar-sounding characters; pay attention to the context in which it is used.

HSK Study Tips

While 檐 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it connects with HSK 3 and 4 words related to buildings and architecture, such as 房子 (house) and 屋顶 (roof). Students should focus on how it is used in compound words, like 屋檐 (eaves of a house).

Common Mistakes

Learners may confuse 檐 with 颜 (yán, meaning 'face' or 'color') due to the similar pronunciation. Always remember that 檐 relates to architecture, while 颜 pertains to appearance or facial features.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 檐

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Etymology of 檐

Formation typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Explanation

Phonosemantic compound. 木 represents the meaning and 詹 represents the sound. Simplified form of 簷.

Memory hint

wood

Semantic (meaning)木
+
Phonetic (sound)詹
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Origin

檐 = 木 + 詹. What kind of character does that make it?

Decomposition of 檐

IDS Structure⿰木詹
檐Full character
=
木Mu4
left
詹Zhan1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 檐?

How to say the eaves of a house; edge, brim in Chinese

“the eaves of a house; edge, brim” in Chinese is檐yán

The character 檐 (yán) refers to the eaves or overhanging edges of a roof, particularly in traditional Chinese architecture. It can also imply the edges or brims of other structures or objects. In context, it often relates to architectural features or protective overhangs that shield from rain.

When to use 檐

This character is typically used in formal contexts related to architecture and is rarely used in everyday conversation unless discussing building designs. A common mistake is confusing it with other similar-sounding characters; pay attention to the context in which it is used.

What learners get wrong

Learners may confuse 檐 with 颜 (yán, meaning 'face' or 'color') due to the similar pronunciation. Always remember that 檐 relates to architecture, while 颜 pertains to appearance or facial features.

Write 檐

檐

Practice writing 檐 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

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Grammar patterns of 檐

檐 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

Fill the gap

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

楼上的每个房间都有飞____遮阴的阳台.

Each upstairs room opened on a balcony shaded by an overhanging roof.

Example sentences for 檐 (5)

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1
楼上的每个房间都有飞檐遮阴的阳台.

lóushàng de měi gè fángjiān dōu yǒu fēi yán zhē yīn de yángtái.

Each upstairs room opened on a balcony shaded by an overhanging roof.
2
在屋檐下筑巢的鸟

zài wūyán xià zhù cháo de niǎo

birds nesting under the eaves
3
"她勉强笑笑,可是一起见镜子里那绿帽檐底下的笑影便立即下决心了.

" tā miǎnqiǎng xiào xiào, kěshì yìqǐ jiàn jìngzi lǐ nà lǜ mào yán dǐxia de xiào yǐng biàn lìjí xiàjuéxīn le.

She laughed unwillingly, and the laughing reflection under the green brim decided her instantly.
4
屋檐下挂着冰凌。

wūyán xià guà zhe bīng líng。

There were icicles hanging from the eaves.
5
她喜欢这里高高的天花板，它造型优美，还带有一圈漆成白色的飞檐。

tā xǐhuan zhèlǐ gāo gāo de tiānhuābǎn， tā zàoxíng yōuměi， hái dàiyǒu yī juān qī chéng báisè de fēi yán。

She loved the gracefully high ceiling, with its white-painted cornice.

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Word Family of 檐

Words containing this character5
屋檐eaves屋簷
檐yáneaves
帽檐brim (of a hat)
飞檐走壁to leap onto roofs and vault over walls (usually associated with martial arts)飛檐走壁
房檐eaves
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 檐

What does 屋檐 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 檐

It is pronounced as 'yán', with a rising tone.

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