Definition
沿 (yán) as a preposition means 'along' (a path, coast, etc.) and is more common than 顺 (shùn) for physical routes. As a verb, it means 'to follow (a tradition)' or 'to carry on', similar to 秉承 (bǐng chéng) but less formal. Its noun sense 'edge, border' is more specific than 边 (biān) and 边缘 (biān yuán).
preposition
along
verb
to follow (a line, tradition, etc.)to carry on
noun
borderedge
Easily confused
- 眼yǎnsound-alikeeye
- 演yǎnsound-aliketo perform, to act (in a play, movie, etc.)
- 烟yānsound-alikecigarette or pipe tobacco
- 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
- 淹yānsound-aliketo flood; to submerge
- 咽yànsound-aliketo swallow
Examples
- 。Qǐng yán zhe zhè tiáo lù yìzhí zǒu dào tóu.Please walk all the way to the end along this road.
- 。Tāmen yán yòng le lǎo yī bèi de fāngfǎ.They continued using the methods of the older generation.
- 。Zhège chéngshì yán hǎi jiàn le hěn duō gōngchǎng.This city built many factories along the coast.
Browse more HSK 5 words or search the full 43,000-word dictionary.