Definitions

yán (verb) to speak; to say
yán (noun) speech; words; language

Etymology

Pictograph of a tongue () sticking out of a mouth. In old scripts was written the same as but with an extra line.

About

言 features horizontal strokes at the top representing sound emanating from the mouth component 口 (kǒu) at the bottom, visually capturing vocalization. As an independent character, it means "speech" or "words". It also functions as a highly productive radical, appearing as 讠 in left-side position for characters related to language, talking, or communication. This structure forms the basis for compound words describing speeches, statements, and various forms of interpersonal exchange. The core concept of vocalized thought unifies its broad usage.

Etymology Hide

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 Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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 Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

学习语很有趣。

Xuéxí yǔyán hěn yǒuqù.

Learning languages is very interesting.

他发很流利。

Tā fāyán hěn liúlì.

He speaks fluently.

论自由很重要。

Yánlùn zìyóu hěn zhòngyào.

Freedom of speech is important.

行一致是美德。

Yánxíng yīzhì shì měidé.

Matching words with actions is a virtue.

请用语表达清楚。

Qǐng yòng yányǔ biǎodá qīngchu.

Please express clearly with words.

他的预竟然成真了。

Tā de yùyán jìngrán chéng zhēn le.

His prediction actually came true.

他的论引起了广泛讨论。

Tā de yánlùn yǐnqǐ le guǎngfàn tǎolùn.

His remarks sparked widespread discussion.

这本书阐述了作者的论。

Zhè běn shū chǎnshù le zuòzhě de yánlùn.

This book expounds the author's views.