阎
alley gate; surname Yan
Meanings
2 senses · 10 examplesnoun
alley gate; lane entrance
literaryArchaic literary term referring to the gate of an alley or lane, rarely used in modern Chinese except in classical texts.
Within the alley gates, the people live in harmony.
In ancient times, alley gates were mostly made of wood.
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A peddler's cry came from the depths of the alley gate and lane.
Poets often use 'alley gate' to metaphorically refer to the folk community.
The ancient alley gate no longer exists today, only ruins remain.
noun
surname Yan
neutralCommon Chinese surname, sometimes俗写作闫 (Yán) in recent years, but 阎 is the traditional form.
My head teacher's surname is Yan.
Mr. Yan is a famous historian.
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Yan (闫) is the popular written form of the surname Yan (阎).
In the Hundred Family Surnames, Yan (阎) ranks in the middle position.
This Ms. Yan is from Shanxi Province.