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
Easily confused
- 蔫niānlook-aliketo wither, to droop (of plants)
- 烟yānsound-alikecigarette or pipe tobacco
- 淹yānsound-aliketo flood; to submerge
- 阉yānsound-aliketo castrate; to neuter (an animal)
- 燕yānsound-alike(bound form) Yan, an ancient state; also used in place names such as Yanjing and Yanshan
- 菸yānsound-alike(bound form) tobacco; cigarette (variant of 烟)
Examples
- 焉？yān Yǒu cǐ shì?Where is there such a thing?
- 焉？yān Néng rú cǐ?How can it be like this?
- 焉？yān Zhī fēi fú?How do you know it's not a blessing?
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