Definition
淹 (yān) is a versatile verb meaning 'to flood, submerge, or drown,' including liquids stinging the skin. 淹没 (yānmò, HSK6) is more specific: to inundate completely, often used figuratively. 溺水 (nìshuǐ, HSK7) refers specifically to drowning as a fatal accident, while 淹 covers a broader range of water-related actions.
verb
to floodto submergeto drownto irritate or sting (of liquids, e.g. sweat in the eyes)
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
- 沿yánsound-alike(preposition) along
- 咽yànsound-aliketo swallow
Examples
- 淹。Bàoyǔ zhīhòu hěnduō nóngtián dōu bèi yān le.After the heavy rain, many farmlands were flooded.
- ，。Tā bú huì yóuyǒng, chàdiǎn bèi héshuǐ yān sǐ.He can't swim and almost drowned in the river.
- 淹。Pǎobù shí hànshuǐ yān de yǎnjīng hěn bù shūfu.When running, sweat stung my eyes and made them very uncomfortable.
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