衍

yǎn

亍 + 彳 + 氵

Definitions

yǎn (verb) to spread out; to develop

yǎn (verb) to overflow

yǎn (adjective) superfluous; excessive

Etymology

Water 氵 going in all directions 行

About

衍 is composed of the water radical 氵 set inside 行, which means to walk or go. This arrangement directly suggests water overflowing and spreading outward, water moving in all directions. Originally referring to flooded rivers, the character's meaning expanded to include spreading out, extending, developing, and amplifying. In modern usage, it frequently appears in contexts like the multiplication of numbers, derivation of words, and the propagation of ideas, organisms, and natural phenomena.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Oracle etymology image

Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Late Shang dynasty (~1100 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Bronze etymology image

Bronze Early Western Zhou (~1000 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal etymology image

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Clerical etymology image

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

生物的繁衍依赖适宜的环境。

Shēngwù de fányǎn yīlài shìyí de huánjìng.

The reproduction of organisms relies on a suitable environment.

科技的发展衍生出许多新产品。

Kējì de fāzhǎn yǎnshēng chū xǔduō xīn chǎnpǐn.

The development of technology has given rise to many new products.

这个结论是从数据中推导衍生出来的。

Zhège jiélùn shì cóng shùjù zhōng tuīdǎo yǎnshēng chūlái de.

This conclusion is derived and extrapolated from the data.

金融衍生品的交易需要专业知识。

Jīnróng yǎnshēngpǐn de jiāoyì xūyào zhuānyè zhīshì.

Trading financial derivatives requires professional knowledge.

这种文化习俗是由古老传统衍变而来的。

Zhè zhǒng wénhuà xísú shì yóu gǔlǎo chuántǒng yǎnbiàn ér lái de.

This cultural custom evolved from ancient traditions.

光线通过狭缝会产生衍射现象。

Guāngxiàn tōngguò xiáfèng huì chǎnshēng yǎnshè xiànxiàng.

Light passing through a slit will produce a diffraction phenomenon.

他对这个复杂问题的阐述有些敷衍。

Tā duì zhège fùzá wèntí de chǎnshù yǒuxiē fūyǎn.

His explanation of this complex issue was somewhat perfunctory.

这项政策可能衍生一系列社会问题，需要仔细评估。

Zhè xiàng zhèngcè kěnéng yǎnshēng yīxìliè shèhuì wèntí, xūyào zǐxì pínggū.

This policy may give rise to a series of social issues that require careful assessment.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 亍

Component: 彳

Component: 氵

Example Words