砚

硯

yàn

石 + 见

Definitions

yàn ink-stone

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 石 represents the meaning and 见 represents the sound. Simplified form of 硯.

Semantic: 石 Phonetic: 见

About

The character 砚 is a phono-semantic compound. Its semantic component, the stone radical 石 on the left, indicates the material, while the phonetic component 见 on the right suggests the pronunciation. Its traditional form, 硯, uses the same radical with the unsimplified phonetic element 見. The character specifically denotes an inkstone, an essential tool in traditional calligraphy and painting used to grind solid ink sticks with water to create liquid ink. This combination of components points to a crafted, flat stone object used by scholars, defining it as a particular implement within the category of stationery and studio equipment.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这是我的砚台。

Zhè shì wǒ de yàntái.

This is my inkstone.

我的砚台很旧了。

Wǒ de yàntái hěn jiù le.

My inkstone is very old.

他买了一方新砚台。

Tā mǎi le yì fāng xīn yàntái.

He bought a new inkstone.

爷爷的书桌上摆着笔和砚。

Yéye de shūzhuō shàng bǎizhe bǐ hé yàn.

Grandpa's desk is set with a brush and an inkstone.

这方石砚的质地非常细腻。

Zhè fāng shíyàn de zhìdì fēichāng xìnì.

The texture of this stone inkstone is extremely fine.

他在砚台里慢慢地研墨。

Tā zài yàntái lǐ mànmàn de yán mò.

He is slowly grinding ink on the inkstone.

同学们在书法课上练习使用砚台。

Tóngxuémen zài shūfǎ kè shàng liànxí shǐyòng yàntái.

The students are practicing using inkstones in calligraphy class.

作为文房四宝之一，砚有着悠久的历史。

Zuòwéi wénfáng sìbǎo zhī yī, yàn yǒuzhe yōujiǔ de lìshǐ.

As one of the Four Treasures of the Study, the inkstone has a long history.

Related Characters

Component: 石

Component: 见

砚