Definitions

yǎn (verb) to spread out; to develop
yǎn (verb) to overflow
yǎn (adjective) superfluous; excessive

Etymology

Water  going in all directions

About

Structured as an ideogrammatic and phono-semantic compound, 衍 combines the water radical 氵 positioned within 行 (to walk, to go). Its original meaning described water overflowing its banks or spreading across a surface. Over time, this evolved into the broader sense of extending, developing, or amplifying. The character is now commonly used in contexts such as mathematical multiplication, word derivation, and the propagation of ideas, organisms, or natural phenomena.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

生物的繁依赖适宜的环境。

Shēngwù de fányǎn yīlài shìyí de huánjìng.

The reproduction of organisms relies on a suitable environment.

科技的发展生出许多新产品。

Kējì de fāzhǎn yǎnshēng chū xǔduō xīn chǎnpǐn.

The development of technology has given rise to many new products.

这个结论是从数据中推导生出来的。

Zhège jiélùn shì cóng shùjù zhōng tuīdǎo yǎnshēng chūlái de.

This conclusion is derived and extrapolated from the data.

金融生品的交易需要专业知识。

Jīnróng yǎnshēngpǐn de jiāoyì xūyào zhuānyè zhīshì.

Trading financial derivatives requires professional knowledge.

这种文化习俗是由古老传统变而来的。

Zhè zhǒng wénhuà xísú shì yóu gǔlǎo chuántǒng yǎnbiàn ér lái de.

This cultural custom evolved from ancient traditions.

光线通过狭缝会产生射现象。

Guāngxiàn tōngguò xiáfèng huì chǎnshēng yǎnshè xiànxiàng.

Light passing through a slit will produce a diffraction phenomenon.

他对这个复杂问题的阐述有些敷

Tā duì zhège fùzá wèntí de chǎnshù yǒuxiē fūyǎn.

His explanation of this complex issue was somewhat perfunctory.

这项政策可能生一系列社会问题,需要仔细评估。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè kěnéng yǎnshēng yīxìliè shèhuì wèntí, xūyào zǐxì pínggū.

This policy may give rise to a series of social issues that require careful assessment.