Definitions

yán (verb) to extend; to prolong; to delay
yán (adverb) along

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound.

About

is a phono-semantic compound combining the radical , meaning a long stride or walking a long distance, with the phonetic component . This structure originally conveyed the physical act of stretching something out or traversing a great distance. Over time, the notion of elongation shifted from the spatial to the temporal and abstract, giving the character its modern senses of prolonging, delaying, extending, or postponing. The core image of continuous movement or pulling outward links its etymological roots to contemporary uses, from delaying a meeting to literally stretching a line.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

会议长了五分钟。

Huìyì yánchángle wǔ fēnzhōng.

The meeting was extended by five minutes.

火车迟到达。

Huǒchē yánchí dàodá.

The train arrived late.

比赛因雨期。

Bǐsài yīn yǔ yánqī.

The game was postponed due to rain.

这条路伸到山里。

Zhè tiáo lù yánshēn dào shān lǐ.

This road extends into the mountains.

缓支付费用。

Qǐng yánhuǎn zhīfù fèiyòng.

Please delay the payment.

公司决定展业务。

Gōngsī juédìng yánzhǎn yèwù.

The company decided to expand its business.

他的影响及后代。

Tā de yǐngxiǎng yán jí hòudài.

His influence extends to future generations.

由于技术问题,项目不得不进一步迟。

Yóuyú jìshù wèntí, xiàngmù bùdé bù jìnyībù yánchí.

Due to technical issues, the project had to be further delayed.