彦

彥

yàn

产 + 彡

Definitions

yàn (adjective) accomplished; elegant

Etymology

Simplified form of 彥. Depicts being accomplished in both literature (文) and military skill (弓). 厂 is a phonetic component.

Semantic: 彡 Phonetic: 产

About

The character 彦 (traditional 彥) denotes talent, elegance, and accomplishment, especially in scholars or men of virtue. The traditional form combines 文 (literature), 弓 (bow, representing military skill), and 厂 (cliff) as a phonetic component, depicting mastery in both literary and martial arts. The simplified 彦 replaces the upper 文 with a form like the top of 产 and changes 弓 to the three strokes 彡. It originally referred to an educated, refined person of moral and intellectual excellence. Now rarely a standalone word, it is highly popular in personal names, signifying hopes for a cultured and capable individual.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

彦是我的好朋友。

Yàn shì wǒ de hǎo péngyou.

Yan is my good friend.

俊彦来自北京。

Jùnyàn lái zì Běijīng.

Junyan comes from Beijing.

彦同学学习很努力。

Yàn tóngxué xuéxí hěn nǔlì.

Classmate Yan studies very hard.

这位彦士很有才华。

Zhè wèi yànshì hěn yǒu cáihuá.

This scholar is very talented.

公司招聘了许多俊彦。

Gōngsī zhāopìn le xǔduō jùnyàn.

The company recruited many outstanding talents.

彦的演讲深受大家欢迎。

Yàn de yǎnjiǎng shēn shòu dàjiā huānyíng.

Yan's speech is deeply welcomed by everyone.

在古代，彦士通常受到尊重。

Zài gǔdài, yànshì tōngcháng shòu dào zūnzhòng.

In ancient times, scholars were usually respected.

这位年轻彦士的创新思想令人钦佩。

Zhè wèi niánqīng yànshì de chuàngxīn sīxiǎng lìng rén qīnpèi.

The innovative thinking of this young scholar is admirable.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 产

Component: 彡

彦