宴

醼

yàn

妟 + 宀

Definitions

yàn (noun) feast; banquet

yàn (verb) repose; rest

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 妟 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "peace and happiness". The meaning later shifted to "banquet", "feast", and "to entertain".

About

The character 宴 is a phono-semantic compound depicting an indoor gathering. Its semantic radical 宀 (roof) indicates the setting of a house or hall. Beneath it lies the phonetic component 妟, composed of 日 (sun) and 女 (woman), which originally conveyed a sense of peace or leisure. The primary meaning centers on hosting a formal feast or banquet. This encompasses both the meal and the social event itself, consistently used for significant dining occasions, official receptions, and grand gatherings marked by celebration.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们准备举办一场宴会。

Wǒmen zhǔnbèi jǔbàn yī chǎng yànhuì.

We are preparing to host a banquet.

他设宴款待远道而来的朋友。

Tā shè yàn kuǎndài yuǎndào ér lái de péngyou.

He hosted a feast to entertain the friends who came from afar.

婚礼后的宴席非常丰盛。

Hūnlǐ hòu de yànxí fēicháng fēngshèng.

The wedding banquet after the ceremony was very sumptuous.

公司在五星级酒店宴请重要客户。

Gōngsī zài wǔxīngjí jiǔdiàn yànqǐng zhòngyào kèhù.

The company hosted an important client at a five-star hotel.

这场庆功宴充满了欢乐的气氛。

Zhè chǎng qìnggōng yàn chōngmǎn le huānlè de qìfēn.

This victory celebration banquet was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

国王在宫殿里大宴群臣。

Guówáng zài gōngdiàn lǐ dà yàn qúnchén.

The king held a grand feast for all his ministers in the palace.

小说中描写了贵族奢华的宴饮场面。

Xiǎoshuō zhōng miáoxiě le guìzú shēhuá de yànyǐn chǎngmiàn.

The novel depicts the luxurious feasting scenes of the aristocracy.

此次国宴旨在促进两国间的友好关系。

Cǐ cì guóyàn zhǐ zài cùjìn liǎng guó jiān de yǒuhǎo guānxì.

This state banquet aims to promote friendly relations between the two countries.

Related Characters

Component: 妟

Component: 宀

宴