HSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #8078, Hard
沿
yán
to carry on
HSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #8078, Hard
沿
yán
to trim (a border with braid, tape etc)
HSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #8078, Hard
沿
yán
border
HSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #8078, Hard
沿
yán
edge
HSK 5, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #8078, Hard
沿
yán
erhua)
HSK 5, f, 8 strokes, radical 氵, rank #8078, Hard
yán(yan2)yan T2
1along
2following (a line)
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March 24, 2026
沿yán(yan2)
The character 沿 (yán) primarily means 'along' or 'following,' often used to describe movement parallel to something, such as a river or path. It conveys the idea of following a course or extending along a border. This character is commonly used in contexts like directions, geography, and even cultural practices.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#8078DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'going along' often extends to social traditions, such as following customs or practices that have been established over generations. The term is frequently used when discussing scenic river routes, which are significant in many Chinese landscapes and poetry.
Memory Tip
Imagine a river flowing smoothly along its banks. The character 沿 resembles the flowing water, with the water (the radical 'water' 氵) running along the 'bank' (the character's other components). Picture a boat gently navigating along the river's edge, reminding you of 'yán' and its meaning of 'along.'
Meanings of 沿
yán(yan2)
1along
2following (a line)
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
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About 沿
沿Simplified
8Strokes
氵Radical
方位词direction word (dir.)Part of Speech
#8078Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3BCT✓CEFRC1
Podcast: 沿
Podcast: 沿
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AI Study Notes for 沿
Quick Contrast
沿 (yán) vs 随 (suí) — use 沿 when indicating movement along a specific path or border, while 随 is more about following without a defined course.
Usage Notes
Be careful to use 沿 in contexts related to movement or direction rather than in static situations. It is often used in formal settings, such as in geographical descriptions. Common collocations include 沿着 (yánzhe, meaning 'along') and 沿河 (yánhé, meaning 'riverbank').
HSK Study Tips
Since 沿 is not included in the HSK vocabulary lists, learners should focus on its practical applications in context. Connecting it with other directional words like '向' (xiàng, towards) or '经过' (jīngguò, to pass by) can enhance understanding at this level.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 沿 with similar directional words. For instance, they might say '沿街走' (yán jiē zǒu) when they mean '走在街上' (zǒu zài jiē shàng, to walk on the street). It's important to remember that 沿 specifically indicates movement along a line or edge.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 沿
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How Well Do You Know 沿?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 沿 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.
The character 沿 (yán) primarily means 'along' or 'following,' often used to describe movement parallel to something, such as a river or path. It conveys the idea of following a course or extending along a border. This character is commonly used in contexts like directions, geography, and even cultural practices.
When to use 沿
Be careful to use 沿 in contexts related to movement or direction rather than in static situations. It is often used in formal settings, such as in geographical descriptions. Common collocations include 沿着 (yánzhe, meaning 'along') and 沿河 (yánhé, meaning 'riverbank').
沿 or something close to it
沿 (yán) vs 随 (suí) — use 沿 when indicating movement along a specific path or border, while 随 is more about following without a defined course.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 沿 with similar directional words. For instance, they might say '沿街走' (yán jiē zǒu) when they mean '走在街上' (zǒu zài jiē shàng, to walk on the street). It's important to remember that 沿 specifically indicates movement along a line or edge.
Write 沿
沿
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Practice writing 沿 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 沿
沿 carries 10 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
