Definitions

yán (noun) rock; cliff

Etymology

The rocks that make up a mountain 

About

The character 岩, the simplified form of the complex traditional 巖, combines the mountain radical 山 above the stone radical 石. This structure directly reflects its meaning, representing the solid rock that forms mountains and geological formations. Its primary definitions include solid rock, large boulders, and steep cliffs in rugged terrain. The character is widely used in geological terminology for stone and mineral types, and frequently appears in names of geographical locations, caves, and mountainous areas due to its association with rocky landscapes.

Example Sentences Hide

这块石很硬。

Zhè kuài yánshí hěn yìng.

This rock is very hard.

洞里有蝙蝠。

Yándòng lǐ yǒu biānfú.

There are bats in the cave.

浆从火山喷出。

Yánjiāng cóng huǒshān pēnchū.

Magma erupts from the volcano.

他爬上了壁。

Tā pá shàngle yánbì.

He climbed up the cliff.

画是古代艺术。

Yánhuà shì gǔdài yìshù.

Rock paintings are ancient art.

地质学家研究层。

Dìzhì xuéjiā yánjiū yáncéng.

Geologists study rock layers.

这座山很难攀登。

Zhè zuò yánshān hěn nán pāndēng.

This rocky mountain is difficult to climb.

岸附近发现了化石。

Zài yán'àn fùjìn fāxiànle huàshí.

Fossils were found near the rocky shore.