Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
雁 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
雁
yàn
wild goose
nr, 12 strokes, radical 隹, rank #36461, Very Hard
yàn(yan4)yan T4
1wild goose
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
雁yàn(yan4)
The character 雁 (yàn) refers specifically to a wild goose, commonly associated with migration and seasonal changes. It is often used in poetry and literature to symbolize companionship or longing, especially in the context of separation or reunion during migration seasons.
Strokes12Radical隹Frequency#36461DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, the wild goose is often celebrated in poetry, symbolizing loyalty and the bonds of friendship due to their migratory behavior. The phrase '雁阵' (yàn zhèn), meaning 'the formation of geese', is used to describe teamwork and unity.
Memory tip
Imagine a wild goose flying in a V formation with its friends, the shape of the character 雁 (yàn) resembles a bird taking flight. The radical for bird (鳥) is present, which helps you remember its connection to avian creatures.
Meanings of 雁
yàn(yan4)
1wild goose
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 雁 means.
About 雁
雁Simplified
12Strokes
隹Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 雁
Podcast: 雁
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 雁
Quick Contrast
雁 (wild goose) vs 鸭 (yā, duck) — use 雁 when referring to the migratory wild goose, while 鸭 specifically denotes a duck, which is a different species.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 雁 with other bird characters like 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. It’s important to use 雁 in contexts specifically about wild geese, especially in literary or poetic usage. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
HSK Study Tips
Although 雁 is not included in the HSK list, it can enrich vocabulary at the intermediate level by connecting with related terms like 鸭 (yā, duck) and 鹅 (é, goose). Focus on recognizing its usage in poetry or idiomatic expressions to enhance fluency.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 雁 with similar-sounding words like 眼 (yǎn, eye) or 演 (yǎn, perform), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, mixing them up could result in saying '我看到雁' instead of '我看到眼' (I see the eye).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 雁
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 雁 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 雁 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
How well do you know 雁?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 雁 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 雁 (yàn) refers specifically to a wild goose, commonly associated with migration and seasonal changes. It is often used in poetry and literature to symbolize companionship or longing, especially in the context of separation or reunion during migration seasons.
When to use 雁
Learners often confuse 雁 with other bird characters like 鸟 (niǎo), which means 'bird' in general. It’s important to use 雁 in contexts specifically about wild geese, especially in literary or poetic usage. Be mindful of the tone, as mispronouncing it can lead to misunderstandings.
雁 or something close to it
雁 (wild goose) vs 鸭 (yā, duck) — use 雁 when referring to the migratory wild goose, while 鸭 specifically denotes a duck, which is a different species.
What learners get wrong
Learners might confuse 雁 with similar-sounding words like 眼 (yǎn, eye) or 演 (yǎn, perform), leading to incorrect usage in sentences. For example, mixing them up could result in saying '我看到雁' instead of '我看到眼' (I see the eye).
Write 雁
雁
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 雁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
Ask Jason
Have a question about 雁?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 215 AI credits.
Word Family of 雁
Words containing this character18
雁yànwild goose
大雁dàyànwild goose
沉鱼落雁lit. fish sink, goose alights (idiom, from Zhuangzi 莊子|庄子); fig. female beauty captivating even the birds and beasts沉魚落雁
雁塔Yanta District of Xi’an 西安市[Xī'ānShì], Shaanxi
鸿雁(bird species of China) swan goose (Anser cygnoides)鴻雁
雁荡山Yandang mountains, famous scenic area in southeast Zhejiang雁蕩山
雁塔区Yanta District of Xi’an 西安市[Xī'ānShì], Shaanxi雁塔區
雁过拔毛pragmatic雁過拔毛
雁山Yanshan district of Guilin city 桂林市[Guìlínshì], Guangxi
刘宾雁Liu Binyan (1925-2005), journalist and novelist, condemned by Mao as rightist faction in 1957, subsequently dissident writer劉賓雁
雁峰Yanfeng district of Hengyang city 衡陽市|衡阳市[Héngyángshì], Hunan
雁江区Yanjiang district of Ziyang city 資陽市|资阳市[Zīyángshì], Sichuan雁江區
雁峰区Yanfeng district of Hengyang city 衡陽市|衡阳市[Héngyángshì], Hunan雁峰區
胡雁Tatar goose, wild goose found in territories northwest of China in ancient times
雁江Yanjiang district of Ziyang city 資陽市|资阳市[Zīyángshì], Sichuan
雁山区Yanshan district of Guilin city 桂林市[Guìlínshì], Guangxi雁山區
黑雁(bird species of China) brant goose (Branta bernicla)
鱼沉雁杳lost in transmission魚沉雁杳
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 雁
What does 大雁 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 雁
It's pronounced as 'yàn' with a falling tone, so ensure to emphasize the downward intonation.
Not commonly; it's more often found in literary contexts or poetry.
Yes, it's often used in phrases related to migration or companionship, like '雁来音信' (yàn lái yīn xìn), meaning 'the arrival of news like that of geese'.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 雁?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
