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殷 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
殷yīnsurname Yinunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yīnmany, great; abundant, flourishingnr, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yīndark redunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yīnroll of thunderunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yīnearnestunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yīnhospitableunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yīndynasty name at the end the Shang dynasty, after their move to Yinxu 殷墟 in modern Henan provinceunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yānsurname Yinunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yānmany, great; abundant, flourishingnr, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yāndark redunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yānroll of thunderunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yānearnestunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yānhospitableunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yāndynasty name at the end the Shang dynasty, after their move to Yinxu 殷墟 in modern Henan provinceunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yǐnsurname Yinunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yǐnmany, great; abundant, flourishingnr, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yǐndark redunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yǐnroll of thunderunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yǐnearnestunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yǐnhospitableunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
殷yǐndynasty name at the end the Shang dynasty, after their move to Yinxu 殷墟 in modern Henan provinceunknown, 10 strokes, radical 殳, rank #51587, Very Hard
yān(yan1)yan
primary
 T1
  1. 1surname Yin
  2. 2many, great; abundant, flourishing
Also a Chinese surname, Yin — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

殷yān(yan1)

The character 殷 (yān) conveys a sense of abundance and flourishing, often associated with hospitality and earnestness. It can also refer to a dark red color and is historically linked to the Yin dynasty, a significant period in Chinese history. This character highlights both physical and metaphorical richness.

Strokes10Radical殳Frequency#51587DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

The character 殷 has deep historical significance as it relates to the Yin dynasty, which is crucial in understanding Chinese civilization's evolution. It also reflects traditional values of hospitality and abundance in Chinese culture.

Memory tip

Imagine a deep, dark red color like the blood of a great banquet feast, signifying hospitality (殷) and abundance. The character's shape can remind you of a table set for many guests, with the '殷' representing the overflow of food and warmth.

Meanings of 殷

yān(yan1)
primary
1many, great; abundant, flourishing
2dark red
Exercise 1 of 2

By ear

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About 殷

殷Simplified
10Strokes
殳Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank

Podcast: 殷

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Podcast: 殷

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AI study notes for 殷

Usage Notes

This character is often used in formal contexts or historical discussions. Common mistakes include confusing its pronunciation with similar-sounding characters like 阴 (yīn), which means 'shadow' or 'yin.' Remember to use 殷 in contexts related to history, hospitality, or descriptions of richness.

HSK Study Tips

While 殷 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, understanding it can enhance comprehension of historical texts and cultural discussions. Students should focus on its connections to the Yin dynasty and its uses in literature regarding abundance.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse 殷 with 阴 (yīn), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '殷天' (yān tiān) when referring to a shadowy day is incorrect; the right term is '阴天' (yīn tiān).

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 殷

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Etymology of 殷

Formation typeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory hint

A midwife 殳 to helping a pregnant woman 㐆; 㐆 also provides the pronunciation

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

Origin

What kind of character is 殷?

Decomposition of 殷

IDS Structure⿰㐆殳
殷Full character
=
㐆yin3
left
殳Shu1
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Parts

Which of these is part of 殷?

How to say surname Yin in Chinese

“surname Yin” in Chinese is殷yīn

The character 殷 (yān) conveys a sense of abundance and flourishing, often associated with hospitality and earnestness. It can also refer to a dark red color and is historically linked to the Yin dynasty, a significant period in Chinese history. This character highlights both physical and metaphorical richness.

When to use 殷

This character is often used in formal contexts or historical discussions. Common mistakes include confusing its pronunciation with similar-sounding characters like 阴 (yīn), which means 'shadow' or 'yin.' Remember to use 殷 in contexts related to history, hospitality, or descriptions of richness.

What learners get wrong

Learners sometimes confuse 殷 with 阴 (yīn), leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '殷天' (yān tiān) when referring to a shadowy day is incorrect; the right term is '阴天' (yīn tiān).

Write 殷

殷

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

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Grammar patterns of 殷

殷 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 7 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.

丹尼的大献____勤让安妮受宠若惊。

Anne was both flattered and surprised by Danny's attentiveness to her.

Example sentences for 殷 (6)

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1
丹尼的大献殷勤让安妮受宠若惊。

dān ní de dà xiàn yīnqín ràng Ān nī shòuchǒng-ruòjīng。

Anne was both flattered and surprised by Danny's attentiveness to her.
2
道格拉斯让人捉摸不透，他体贴周到，对女孩子颇为殷勤，而且慷慨大方。

dào gé lā Sī ràng rén zhuō mō bù tòu， tā tǐtiē zhōudào， duì nǚ háizi Pō wèi yīnqín， érqiě kāngkǎi dàfang。

Douglas was a complex man, thoughtful, gallant, and generous.
3
大地借助于绿草,显出她自己的殷勤好客.

dàdì jièzhù yú lǜ cǎo, xiǎnchū tā zìjǐ de yīnqín hàokè.

The great earth makes herself hospitable with the help of the grass.
4
瑞秋过去一年来殷切期待的日子就是今天.

ruì Qiū guòqù yī nián lái yān qiē qīdài de rìzi jiùshì jīntiān.

Today was the day that Rachel had been looking forward to for the past year.
5
他纵然殷富, 但生活并不欢乐.

tā zòngrán yān fù, dàn shēnghuó bìng bù huānlè.

With all his wealth, he is still unhappy.
6
我献殷勤时,他翘起了鼻子.

wǒ xiàn yīnqín shí, tā qiào qǐ le bízi.

She turned up her nose at my civility.

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Word Family of 殷

Words containing this character15
献殷勤to court sb's favor獻殷勤
殷勤yīnqínpolitely
殷yānabundant
殷切ardent
殷实thriving殷實
殷红dark red殷紅
殷墟Yinxu, ruins of Yinshang 殷商 city at Anyang 安陽|安阳 in Henan province, a World Heritage site
殷殷earnest
殷商final name of the Shang dynasty after their move to Yinxu 殷墟 in modern Henan province
殷富well off
殷都Yindu district of Anyang city 安陽市|安阳市[An​yáng​shì], Henan
殷都区Yindu district of Anyang city 安陽市|安阳市[An​yáng​shì], Henan殷都區
红殷殷dark red紅殷殷
殷忧启圣storms make oaks take deeper root殷憂啟聖
殷弘绪François Xavier d'Entrecolles (1664-1741), French Jesuit missionary to Kangxi court殷弘緒
Exercise 1 of 4

Words with 殷

What does 献殷勤 mean?

Frequently asked questions about 殷

It represents the Yin dynasty, an important period at the end of the Shang dynasty, known for its cultural advancements.

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