咽 (yàn) — to swallow
Definition
咽 (yàn) means 'to swallow' — paired with 吞, it usually takes a direct object (把药咽下去), while 吞 can also be used figuratively for annexing (吞并). As a noun (yān), it's the throat/pharynx.
verb
to swallow
Examples
- 。Tā màn màn dì bǎ yào yàn xià qù le.He slowly swallowed the medicine.
- 咽，。Chī fàn shí yào xì jiáo màn yàn, duì shēn tǐ hǎo.When eating, chew carefully and swallow slowly — it's good for your health.
- ，咽。Tā kě le, bǎ yí dà kǒu shuǐ yàn le xià qù.He was thirsty and swallowed a big mouthful of water.
Origin
Sound + meaning六书liùshū
形声xíngshēngMost characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.
In 咽, 口 is mouth, showing it is connected to the mouth or throat; 因 gives the sound.
Appears in
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