Definition
焉 (yān) is a literary word from classical Chinese, still used in modern written Chinese in fixed expressions and formal contexts. As an interrogative pronoun, it means 'where' or 'how' in rhetorical questions. It can also function as an adverb meaning 'thus' or 'thereupon' to indicate a consequence, though this use is less common. It is not used in everyday conversation.
pr.
(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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