"speech" or "words" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 149)
unknown, 2 strokes, radical 讠, Very Hard
yán(yan2) T2
1words, speech; to speak, to say
2"speech" or "words" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 149)
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March 24, 2026
讠(訁)yán(yan2)
The character 讠 (yán) is a variant of 言 and is used as a radical connected to speech and communication. It represents concepts related to words, speech, and the act of saying something. Commonly found in characters that pertain to communication, it emphasizes the importance of verbal expression in Chinese.
Strokes2Radical讠Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of speaking holds significant importance, especially in settings like family gatherings where communication strengthens relationships. The emphasis on language reflects a broader cultural value placed on harmony and understanding.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person speaking (讠) with a megaphone, projecting their voice out into the world. The left side of the character resembles a mouth, which helps you remember that it relates to speech and communication.
Meanings of 讠
yán(yan2)
1words, speech; to speak, to say
2"speech" or "words" radical in Chinese characters (Kangxi radical 149)
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 讠
讠Simplified
訁Traditional
2Strokes
讠Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 讠
Podcast: 讠
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AI Study Notes for 讠
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person speaking (讠) with a megaphone, projecting their voice out into the world. The left side of the character resembles a mouth, which helps you remember that it relates to speech and communication.
Usage Notes
Be cautious not to confuse 讠 with similar radicals or characters. It is primarily used in formal contexts related to speech or communication. Common collocations include words like 语言 (yǔyán, language) and 言论 (yánlùn, speech or opinion).
HSK Study Tips
Although 讠 itself is not an HSK vocabulary word, it is integral to many words at HSK levels 2 and 3. Focus on learning characters that include this radical to enhance your understanding of words related to speech.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of speaking holds significant importance, especially in settings like family gatherings where communication strengthens relationships. The emphasis on language reflects a broader cultural value placed on harmony and understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often overlook the radical nature of 讠 and fail to recognize its role in forming other characters. For example, mistaking 讠 for 口 (kǒu, mouth) can lead to confusion; remember that 讠 specifically relates to words and speech rather than just the physical act of talking.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 讠
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Cultural Notes for 讠
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of speaking holds significant importance, especially in settings like family gatherings where communication strengthens relationships. The emphasis on language reflects a broader cultural value placed on harmony and understanding.
Word Family of 讠
Words Containing This Character1
讠yánsee also 言字旁[yánzìpáng]訁
Exercise 1 of 1
Compound Meaning
What does 讠 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 讠
In everyday conversation, 讠 is often associated with discussing speech or communication-related topics.
讠 serves as a radical in characters like 语 (yǔ, language) and 论 (lùn, discuss), which are important for expressing ideas and discussions.
Yes, 讠 is often found in both formal writing and literature, emphasizing the importance of speech and communication.
