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琰 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
琰yǎngemstone fire; scintillationHSK 7, g, 12 strokes, radical 王, Very Hard
琰yǎngemHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 王, Very Hard
琰yǎnglitter of gemsHSK 7, unknown, 12 strokes, radical 王, Very Hard
yǎn(yan3) T3
  1. 1gemstone fire; scintillation
  2. 2gem
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

琰yǎn(yan3)

The character 琰 (yǎn) refers to a type of gemstone that has a vibrant and sparkling quality, often associated with the scintillation of light. It conveys a sense of brilliance and beauty, typically used in contexts related to precious stones or jewelry. In literature and poetry, it can symbolize something rare and exquisite.

Strokes12Radical王DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note

In Chinese culture, gemstones like 琰 are often associated with wealth and status, frequently appearing in traditional jewelry and art. The appreciation for gemstones is reflected in ancient texts and poetry, highlighting their beauty and the craftsmanship involved in creating jewelry.

Memory Tip

Imagine a shining gem that catches the light and reflects it in many colors. The character 琰 has the radical 玉 (yù), which means 'jade' or 'gem,' suggesting its connection to precious stones, while the phonetic component 亘 (gēn) hints at the brightness and sparkle of the gemstone. Think of a 'yarn' (sounds like 'yǎn') that weaves a tale of glittering gems.

Meanings of 琰

yǎn(yan3)
1gemstone fire; scintillation
2gem
Exercise 1 of 2

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 琰

琰Simplified
12Strokes
王Radical
语素morpheme (morph.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedCEFRC2

Podcast: 琰

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Podcast: 琰

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AI Study Notes for 琰

Usage Notes

琰 is a formal term and is often used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with other words for 'gem' or 'jewel,' such as 宝石 (bǎoshí), which is more commonly used. Remember to pronounce it with the third tone, yǎn, to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

HSK Study Tips

Although 琰 is not part of the official HSK levels, it can be connected to HSK 5 vocabulary related to beauty and precious items, such as 宝 (bǎo) or 珠 (zhū). Focus on understanding its usage in literary texts to enhance your reading comprehension and vocabulary.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 琰 with similar characters and use it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, using 琰 in a conversation about everyday items instead of specific terms like 宝石 (bǎoshí) can lead to misunderstandings.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 琰

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Etymology of 琰

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

The fire 炎 in a gem 王; 炎 also provides the pronunciation

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 琰

  1. 1The giveawayThe fire 炎 in a gem 王; 炎 also provides the pronunciation
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 琰? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 琰?

Decomposition of 琰

IDS Structure⿰王炎
琰Full Character
=
王Wang2
left
炎yan2
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 琰?

How to say gemstone fire; scintillation in Chinese

“gemstone fire; scintillation” in Chinese is琰yǎn

The character 琰 (yǎn) refers to a type of gemstone that has a vibrant and sparkling quality, often associated with the scintillation of light. It conveys a sense of brilliance and beauty, typically used in contexts related to precious stones or jewelry. In literature and poetry, it can symbolize something rare and exquisite.

When to use 琰

琰 is a formal term and is often used in literary or poetic contexts rather than in everyday conversation. Be careful not to confuse it with other words for 'gem' or 'jewel,' such as 宝石 (bǎoshí), which is more commonly used. Remember to pronounce it with the third tone, yǎn, to avoid confusion with similar-sounding words.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 琰 with similar characters and use it inappropriately in casual contexts. For example, using 琰 in a conversation about everyday items instead of specific terms like 宝石 (bǎoshí) can lead to misunderstandings.

Write 琰

琰

Practice writing 琰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Word Family of 琰

Words Containing This Character1
琰yǎngem
Exercise 1 of 1

Compound Meaning

What does 琰 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 琰

You can say, '这块琰非常美丽,' which means 'This piece of gemstone is very beautiful.'

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