Definitions

yàn weir

Etymology phono-semantic

earth

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "堰" combines the semantic element "土", representing earth, with the phonetic component "匽", which historically indicated its sound, forming a character that conceptually denotes an earthen barrier constructed to restrain water. Its etymology directly points to its long-standing meaning as a dam or weir, a man-made structure used for managing water flow in agriculture and flood prevention. Over time, while its graphical representation has experienced minor stylistic adjustments, the integral relationship between its components has remained consistent, reinforcing its core definition. The character's usage has also extended into toponymy, where it identifies places distinguished by such hydraulic engineering features, yet its primary semantic focus on water-retaining structures has endured without significant shift.

Example Sentences Hide

这个用于蓄水。

Zhège yàn yòng yú xù shuǐ.

This weir is used for storing water.

工人们正在修建水

Gōngrénmen zhèngzài xiūjiàn shuǐ yàn.

Workers are building a water weir.

塞湖是由滑坡形成的。

Yànsè hú shì yóu huápō xíngchéng de.

A landslide dam lake is formed by a landslide.

古老的依然发挥着作用。

Gǔlǎo de yàn yīrán fāhuī zhe zuòyòng.

The ancient weir still serves its function.

为了防止洪水,他们加固了堤

Wèile fángzhǐ hóngshuǐ, tāmen jiāgù le dī yàn.

To prevent floods, they reinforced the embankment.

坝的设计需要考虑水流速度。

Yànbà de shèjì xūyào kǎolǜ shuǐliú sùdù.

The design of the weir must consider the water flow rate.

在山区,塞湖可能突然溃决。

Zài shānqū, yànsè hú kěnéng túrán kuìjué.

In mountainous areas, a landslide dam lake may burst suddenly.

通过调节的高度,可以控制灌溉水量。

Tōngguò tiáojié yàn de gāodù, kěyǐ kòngzhì guàngài shuǐliàng.

By adjusting the height of the weir, one can control the irrigation water volume.