classifier for big hollow things (wells, stoves, pots etc)
HSK 5, n, 11 strokes, radical 目, rank #881, Hard
眼
yǎn
eyelet, hole, opening
HSK 5, n, 11 strokes, radical 目, rank #881, Hard
yǎn(yan3) T3
1eye
2small hole
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March 24, 2026
眼yǎn(yan3)
The character 眼 (yǎn) primarily means 'eye' and can refer to both the organ of sight and metaphorically to the 'crux' or 'key point' of a matter. It is commonly used in contexts related to vision, sight, and perception, as well as in idiomatic expressions where it signifies crucial elements.
Strokes11Radical目Frequency#881DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 'eye' goes beyond mere vision; it symbolizes perception and insight, often reflected in idioms such as 眼见为实 (seeing is believing). This highlights the cultural emphasis on observation and understanding.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant eye looking through a small hole. The character 眼 resembles an eye, with the upper part suggesting the eyelid and the lower part hinting at the pupil. Remembering that 'yǎn' sounds like 'yawn' can help you visualize the act of looking wide-eyed.
Meanings of 眼
yǎn(yan3)
1eye
2small hole
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 眼
眼Simplified
11Strokes
目Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#881Frequency Rank
只Measure Word
HSK 3.0L5ElementaryTOCFLL2HSKKL1CEFRA1
Podcast: 眼
Podcast: 眼
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AI Study Notes for 眼
Quick Contrast
眼 (yǎn) vs 目 (mù) — use 眼 for the organ of sight or metaphorical key points, while 目 refers specifically to the eye in a more anatomical or literary context.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 眼 (yǎn) with other similar characters like 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see.' In informal conversations, 眼 can be used in phrases like 眼光 (yǎnguāng, vision or insight), so familiarize yourself with common collocations. The third tone can change in rapid speech, often becoming a second tone.
HSK Study Tips
While 眼 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, understanding it is essential for discussing topics related to vision and metaphorical insights. Focus on combining it with other words to create phrases, as this will enhance your fluency and comprehension in everyday conversations.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mix up 眼 (yǎn) with the similar-sounding character 研 (yán), which means 'to grind' or 'to study.' Make sure to remember that 眼 is associated with sight and perception, while 研 is not. A common mistake is saying 研光 (yánguāng) instead of 眼光 (yǎnguāng).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 眼
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Phonosemantic compound. 目 represents the meaning and 艮 represents the sound.
1The meaning half目 carries the sense.
2The sound half艮 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
3The giveawayeye
4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 眼? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 眼?
Decomposition of 眼
IDS Structure⿰目艮
眼Full Character
=
目mu4
left
艮gen3
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 眼?
How to say eye in Chinese
“eye” in Chinese is眼yǎn
The character 眼 (yǎn) primarily means 'eye' and can refer to both the organ of sight and metaphorically to the 'crux' or 'key point' of a matter. It is commonly used in contexts related to vision, sight, and perception, as well as in idiomatic expressions where it signifies crucial elements.
When to use 眼
Be careful not to confuse 眼 (yǎn) with other similar characters like 见 (jiàn), which means 'to see.' In informal conversations, 眼 can be used in phrases like 眼光 (yǎnguāng, vision or insight), so familiarize yourself with common collocations. The third tone can change in rapid speech, often becoming a second tone.
眼 or something close to it
眼 (yǎn) vs 目 (mù) — use 眼 for the organ of sight or metaphorical key points, while 目 refers specifically to the eye in a more anatomical or literary context.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mix up 眼 (yǎn) with the similar-sounding character 研 (yán), which means 'to grind' or 'to study.' Make sure to remember that 眼 is associated with sight and perception, while 研 is not. A common mistake is saying 研光 (yánguāng) instead of 眼光 (yǎnguāng).
Write 眼
眼
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Practice writing 眼 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar Patterns of 眼
眼 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 5 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.
