Definitions

yán (noun) eaves; ledge; brim

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "檐" is structured with the semantic component "木" denoting wood and the phonetic component "詹", while its traditional variant "簷" substitutes "木" with "竹" for bamboo, reflecting historical construction materials. Etymologically, the term originally designated the eaves of a roof, the protruding edge that provides shelter. Its meaning later extended to any similar projecting edge, such as the brim of a hat or a natural ledge, though the primary association remains with architectural features.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

下很凉爽。

Wūyán xià hěn liángshuǎng.

It is very cool under the eaves.

雨水从屋滴落。

Yǔshuǐ cóng wūyán dīluò.

Rainwater drips from the eaves.

小鸟在屋筑巢。

Xiǎoniǎo zài wūyán zhùcháo.

Birds build nests on the eaves.

早晨的阳光照在屋上。

Zǎochén de yángguāng zhào zài wūyán shàng.

The morning sun shines on the eaves.

我站在屋下避雨。

Wǒ zhàn zài wūyán xià bì yǔ.

I stand under the eaves to avoid the rain.

古老的屋上挂着冰凌。

Gǔlǎo de wūyán shàng guà zhe bīnglíng.

Icicles hang from the ancient eaves.

他从屋下走过,听到雨声。

Tā cóng wūyán xià zǒu guò, tīng dào yǔshēng.

He walked under the eaves and heard the sound of rain.

设计师精心设计了房屋的口样式。

Shèjìshī jīngxīn shèjì le fángwū de yánkǒu yàngshì.

The designer carefully designed the style of the house's eaves.