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March 24, 2026
延yán(Yan2)
The character 延 (yán) primarily means 'to prolong' or 'to extend.' It is commonly used in contexts such as extending a deadline or prolonging a meeting. Additionally, it can also be a surname in China.
Strokes6Radical廴Frequency#7698DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of extending time is often linked to the importance of relationships and obligations, such as extending a visit or delaying a response to maintain harmony.
Memory Tip
Imagine a long stretch of road that seems to go on forever – that's the essence of 延 (yán). The radical '延' resembles a person reaching out to extend something, helping you remember both its shape and meaning.
Meanings of 延
yán(Yan2)
1to prolong
2to extend
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About 延
延Simplified
6Strokes
廴Radical
简称abbreviation (abbr.)Part of Speech
#7698Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2
Podcast: 延
Podcast: 延
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AI Study Notes for 延
Quick Contrast
延 (yán) vs 伸 (shēn) — use 延 when referring to prolonging time or duration, whereas 伸 is used for physical extension or stretching.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 延 with other similar-sounding words. It's important to use it in contexts involving time or distance. Additionally, be mindful of its formal usage, especially when discussing deadlines or events.
HSK Study Tips
While 延 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to time management and planning found in HSK levels 3-4. Focus on using it in practical sentences about scheduling.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 延 in informal contexts or with incorrect tones. For instance, saying '我延了我的工作' is wrong; it should be '我推迟了我的工作' (Wǒ tuīchíle wǒ de gōngzuò) meaning 'I postponed my work.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 延
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How Well Do You Know 延?
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Learning Lab
Knowing 延 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 延 (yán) primarily means 'to prolong' or 'to extend.' It is commonly used in contexts such as extending a deadline or prolonging a meeting. Additionally, it can also be a surname in China.
When to use 延
Learners often confuse 延 with other similar-sounding words. It's important to use it in contexts involving time or distance. Additionally, be mindful of its formal usage, especially when discussing deadlines or events.
延 or something close to it
延 (yán) vs 伸 (shēn) — use 延 when referring to prolonging time or duration, whereas 伸 is used for physical extension or stretching.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 延 in informal contexts or with incorrect tones. For instance, saying '我延了我的工作' is wrong; it should be '我推迟了我的工作' (Wǒ tuīchíle wǒ de gōngzuò) meaning 'I postponed my work.'
Write 延
延
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Grammar Patterns of 延
延 carries 5 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
