Definitions

yǎn surname Yan
yǎn to lie supine; to stop; to fall down

Etymology phono-semantic

person

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "偃" is structured with the person radical "亻" combined with the component "匽", which functions as a phonetic element and contributes semantically through associations with concealment or repose. Etymologically, this construction originally indicated a person lying down or in a state of rest. Over historical periods, the meaning of "偃" broadened from this physical sense to include the abstract notion of ceasing or bringing activities to a halt, such as in the termination of military campaigns or the stopping of movements, as evidenced in classical Chinese literature and historical records.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 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)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

师是个古老的城市。

Yǎnshī shì gè gǔlǎo de chéngshì.

Yanshi is an ancient city.

卧在沙发上。

Tā yǎnwò zài shāfā shàng.

He lies down on the sofa.

松在寒冷地区生长。

Yǎnsōng zài hánlěng dìqū shēngzhǎng.

Dwarf pines grow in cold regions.

月刀很重,不易使用。

Yǎnyuèdāo hěn zhòng, bù yì shǐyòng.

The crescent moon blade is heavy and not easy to use.

风波息后,一切恢复正常。

Fēngbō yǎnxī hòu, yīqiè huīfù zhèngcháng.

After the storm subsided, everything returned to normal.

仰自如,显得很放松。

Tā yǎnyǎng zìrú, xiǎnde hěn fàngsōng.

He bends forward and backward with ease, appearing very relaxed.

经过调解,双方的冲突终于止。

Jīngguò tiáojiě, shuāngfāng de chōngtū zhōngyú yǎnzhǐ.

After mediation, the conflict between both sides finally ceased.

在多次谈判后,两国之间的紧张关系终于息,和平协议得以签署。

Zài duōcì tánpàn hòu, liǎng guó zhī jiān de jǐnzhāng guānxì zhōngyú yǎnxī, hépíng xiéyì déyǐ qiānshǔ.

After multiple negotiations, the tense relations between the two countries finally subsided, and a peace agreement was signed.