宴

醼

yàn

妟 + 宀

Definitions

yàn (noun) feast; banquet

yàn (verb) repose; rest

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 宀 represents the meaning and 妟 represents the sound. Based on the original meaning "peace and happiness". The meaning later shifted to "banquet", "feast", and "to entertain".

About

宴 is a phono-semantic compound: the semantic component 宀 ('roof') places the event indoors, and the phonetic component 妟 provides the sound. 妟 combines 日 'sun' and 女 'woman', evoking leisure and tranquility, which gave the character its original sense of peace and happiness. Over time, the meaning shifted to a banquet or feast, a formal, celebratory meal held inside a residence or hall. Today, 宴 refers exclusively to lavish dining events, official receptions, and grand social gatherings, encompassing both the food and the act of entertaining.

Etymology Hide

Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)

Bronze Late Spring and Autumn (~500 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我们准备举办一场宴会。

Wǒmen zhǔnbèi jǔbàn yī chǎng yànhuì.

We are preparing to host a banquet.

他设宴款待远道而来的朋友。

Tā shè yàn kuǎndài yuǎndào ér lái de péngyou.

He hosted a feast to entertain the friends who came from afar.

婚礼后的宴席非常丰盛。

Hūnlǐ hòu de yànxí fēicháng fēngshèng.

The wedding banquet after the ceremony was very sumptuous.

公司在五星级酒店宴请重要客户。

Gōngsī zài wǔxīngjí jiǔdiàn yànqǐng zhòngyào kèhù.

The company hosted an important client at a five-star hotel.

这场庆功宴充满了欢乐的气氛。

Zhè chǎng qìnggōng yàn chōngmǎn le huānlè de qìfēn.

This victory celebration banquet was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

国王在宫殿里大宴群臣。

Guówáng zài gōngdiàn lǐ dà yàn qúnchén.

The king held a grand feast for all his ministers in the palace.

小说中描写了贵族奢华的宴饮场面。

Xiǎoshuō zhōng miáoxiě le guìzú shēhuá de yànyǐn chǎngmiàn.

The novel depicts the luxurious feasting scenes of the aristocracy.

此次国宴旨在促进两国间的友好关系。

Cǐ cì guóyàn zhǐ zài cùjìn liǎng guó jiān de yǒuhǎo guānxì.

This state banquet aims to promote friendly relations between the two countries.

Related Characters

Component: 妟

Component: 宀

宴