咽

嚥

yān, yàn, yè

口 + 因

HSK 3.0Level 7

Definitions

yān (noun) throat; pharynx

yàn (verb) to swallow

yè (verb) to choke

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 口 represents the meaning and 因 represents the sound. Simplified form of 嚥.

Semantic: 口 Phonetic: 因

About

咽 is the simplified form of 嚥, a phonosemantic compound that combines 口 (mouth) on the left, pointing to the mouth or throat, and 因 (yīn) on the right for its sound. The character first served as an anatomical noun meaning throat or pharynx. Over time, it gained verbal and sensory uses: pronounced yàn, it means 'to swallow'; pronounced yè, it describes a tight, choked feeling in the throat, often accompanied by sobbing or an inability to speak due to intense emotion.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的咽喉有点痛。

Wǒ de yānhóu yǒudiǎn tòng.

My throat is a little sore.

他咽下了苦药。

Tā yànxiàle kǔ yào.

He swallowed the bitter medicine.

吞咽食物要小心。

Tūnyàn shíwù yào xiǎoxīn.

Swallowing food requires care.

她哽咽着说不出话。

Tā gěngyè zhe shuō bù chū huà.

She choked up and couldn't speak.

孩子慢慢咽下糖果。

Háizi mànman yànxià tángguǒ.

The child slowly swallows the candy.

医生检查了他的咽喉。

Yīshēng jiǎnchále tā de yānhóu.

The doctor examined his throat.

他忍着疼痛咽下了食物。

Tā rěnzhe téngtòng yànxiàle shíwù.

He endured the pain and swallowed the food.

呜咽声在夜晚的风中飘散。

Wūyè shēng zài yèwǎn de fēng zhōng piāosàn.

The sobbing sound scattered in the night wind.

Related Characters

Component: 口

Component: 因

咽