俨然 (yǎn rán) — (adjective) solemn, dignified; neatly arranged; (adverb) just like, as if

Definition

A formal/literary word with two distinct uses: as an adjective meaning 'solemn, neat and orderly', and as an adverb meaning 'just like, as if' (often followed by a noun phrase). Tone is more elevated than everyday vocabulary.

adjective
solemndignifiedneatly arranged
adverb
just likeas if

Examples

  • 俨然。
    Tā yǎn rán yí fù lǐng dǎo de yàng zi.
    He looks just like a leader.
  • 俨然，。
    Zhè ge xiǎo zhèn wū shè yǎn rán, jiē dào zhěng jié.
    The houses in this small town are neatly arranged, and the streets are clean.
  • ，俨然。
    Tā zhàn zài tái shàng, yǎn rán yí wèi zhēn zhèng de jiào shòu.
    She stood on the stage, just like a real professor.

Origin

Derived word
构词法gòucífǎ
后缀hòuzhuìSuffix

A fixed syllable at the end that turns the word into a noun, a person, a place or the like.

俨yǎnsolemn
然ránlike that

俨 describes a solemn or exact appearance, and 然 carries the sense of like that, giving solemn or as if.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 儼; 俨 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
亻Written in full as人rén
Sound part声符shēngfú
嚴
嚴yán儼yǎn
Same sound today

The traditional form 儼 pairs 亻 (person) with 嚴, which gives the sound; the simplified 俨 is a later abbreviation.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
火火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
肰
肰rán然rán
Same sound today

然 is made from 肰, which gives the sound, and 火, which shows fire, matching the old sense 'to burn'.

Open 然 →

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