焉 (yān) — (literary interrogative pronoun) where; how

Definition

焉 (yān) is a literary pronoun meaning 'where' or 'how' in classical-style questions. Modern speakers use 哪里/哪儿 for 'where' and 怎么 for 'how'; 焉 only appears in set phrases or formal writing.

pronoun

(literary interrogative pronoun) wherehow

Examples

？
Yān yǒu cǐ shì?
Where is there such a thing?
？
Yān néng rú cǐ?
How can it be like this?
？
Yān zhī fēi fú?
How do you know it's not a blessing?

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