yǎnrán

俨然

Word · Adjective · AdverbTraditional儼然

solemn; neat; just like

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 7 examples
1.

adjective

solemn; majestic; dignified in appearance

literary

Often used in literary contexts to describe a dignified, awe-inspiring presence. Derived from classical texts such as the Analects.

Jūn君
zǐ子
yǒu有
sān三
biàn变
 :
Wàng望
zhī之
yǎn俨
rán然
 ,
jí即
zhī之
yě也
wēn温
 ,
tīng听
qí其
yán言
yě也
lì厉
 。

The gentleman has three appearances: from a distance he looks solemn, upon approaching he is warm, and listening to his words he is stern.

Tā他
duān端
zuò坐
zài在
nà那
lǐ里
 ,
Wàng望
zhī之
yǎn俨
rán然
 ,
lìng令
rén人
sù肃
rán然
qǐ起
jìng敬
 。

He sat there upright; looking at him, he appeared so solemn that one couldn't help but feel deep respect.

2.

adjective

neat; orderly; tidy

literary

Describes buildings, arrangements, or layouts that are well-organized and uniform. Frequently appears in classical landscape descriptions.

Tǔ土
dì地
píng平
kuàng旷
 ,
wū屋
shè舍
yǎn俨
rán然
 ,
yǒu有
liáng良
tián田
 、
měi美
chí池
 、
sāng桑
zhú竹
zhī之
shǔ属
 。

The land was flat and open, the houses were neat and orderly, with fertile fields, beautiful ponds, and mulberry and bamboo groves.

Jiē街
dào道
liǎng两
páng旁
 ,
wū屋
shè舍
yǎn俨
rán然
 ,
shí十
fēn分
zhěng整
jié洁
 。

On both sides of the street, the houses stood in neat rows, extremely tidy.

3.

adverb

just like; exactly as if; as though

literary

Used to indicate a strong resemblance or to describe someone behaving as if they were something they are not. Often carries a slight implication of pretension or incongruity.

Zhè这
hái孩
zi子
shuō说
qǐ起
huà话
lái来
yǎn俨
rán然
shì是
gè个
dà大
rén人
 。

When this child speaks, he sounds exactly like an adult.

Tā他
yǎn俨
rán然
yǐ以
zhuān专
jiā家
zì自
jū居
 ,
kāi开
shǐ始
zhǐ指
shǒu手
huà画
jiǎo脚
 。

He began ordering people around as though he were an expert.

Show 1 more example
Yǎn俨
rán然
yī一
fù副
xué学
zhě者
de的
mú模
yàng样
 。

He looked for all the world like a scholar.