Definition
咽 (yàn) is the general verb for 'to swallow' — it covers swallowing food, drink, or pills in a normal, controlled way. 吞 (tūn) also means 'to swallow' but emphasizes swallowing something whole, in big mouthfuls, or forcefully (e.g., 狼吞虎咽 'wolf down'). Use 咽 for everyday swallowing; use 吞 when the action is quick, greedy, or involves taking over something entirely.
verb
to swallow
Easily confused
- 烟yānlook-alikecigarette or pipe tobacco
- 眼yǎnsound-alikeeye
- 因yīnlook-alike(preposition) because of, due to
- 演yǎnsound-aliketo perform, to act (in a play, movie, etc.)
- 嗯ǹglook-alike(interjection) expressing agreement, acknowledgment (mm-hmm, okay)
- 盐yánsound-alikesalt
- 严yánsound-alikestrict, stern, severe
- 延yánsound-aliketo extend; to prolong (in time or length)
- 验yànsound-aliketo examine; to test; to check
- 沿yánsound-alike(preposition) along
Examples
- 。Tā mànmàn de bǎ yào yàn xiàqù le.He slowly swallowed the medicine.
- 咽，。Chīfàn shí yào xì jiáo màn yàn, duì shēntǐ hǎo.When eating, chew carefully and swallow slowly — it's good for your health.
- ，咽。Tā kě le, bǎ yí dà kǒu shuǐ yàn xiàqù le.He was thirsty and swallowed a big mouthful of water.
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