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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