燕 Stroke Order — How to Write 燕
燕 is written in 16 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 灬, then complete the remaining strokes.
Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.
燕 Radical and Character Components
燕 is an ideographic compound. A swallow, with its head 廿, wings 北, and tail 灬.
Radical: 灬 + 12 more strokes
燕 Pronunciation and Pinyin
- yàn
- yān
Meanings of 燕 in Chinese
1
yàn燕
A swallow (a type of migratory bird that nests in or near human dwellings, known for eating insects and benefiting agriculture). It also appears in idioms, such as '燕尔' (to describe the intimate and harmonious state of a newly married couple) or '燕好' (to refer to a loving relationship).
新婚夫妇燕尔新居，生活甜蜜。
The newlywed couple, deeply in love (燕尔), are enjoying their sweet life in their new home.
When pronounced yàn (fourth tone), it means to treat lightly, to be frivolous, careless, or disrespectful, often describing an attitude or behavior.
他对待学习的态度很燕，常常忽略细节。
His attitude towards studying is quite careless, often overlooking details.
At ease; leisurely; peaceful (used in the same sense as '宴').
他喜欢燕居在家，享受片刻宁静
He enjoys staying at home leisurely, savoring moments of tranquility.
To feast; to banquet (same as 宴).
宾客欢聚一堂，把酒言欢，大燕三天。
The guests gathered happily, drinking and chatting, feasting for three days.
2
yān燕
An ancient Chinese state during the Zhou Dynasty, located in present-day northern Hebei and southern Liaoning. It is found in historical place names like Yan Shan (Yan Mountains) or Yanjing (an ancient name for Beijing).
远眺燕山山脉，景色壮丽。
Looking into the distance at the Yan Mountains, the scenery is magnificent.
Common Words and Phrases with 燕
1
Conjugal bliss of a newlywed couple; the harmonious and affectionate state of a newly married couple.
这对新婚夫妇在蜜月期间，总是燕尔新婚，彼此眼中只有对方。
During their honeymoon, this newlywed couple was always intimately harmonious, with eyes only for each other.
2
A majestic and formidable appearance, often indicative of someone destined for military leadership or high office.
他从小就生得燕颔虎颈，长大后果然成为一名出色的武术家，身手矫健。
From a young age, he possessed a powerful physique, often described as 'swallow-chin and tiger-neck', and indeed, he grew up to become an excellent martial artist with agile movements.
3
Conjugal bliss; to enjoy marital happiness or intimacy between a couple.
新婚夫妇沉浸在燕好的甜蜜中，憧憬着美好的未来。
The newly married couple were immersed in the sweet intimacy of their conjugal bliss, looking forward to a beautiful future.
4
A bird species, commonly known as a pratincole, that resembles a large swallow and has grayish-brown wings and a forked tail.
夏日清晨，燕鴴在河边低空盘旋，捕捉飞虫作为早餐。
On a summer morning, Oriental Pratincoles circle low over the river, catching flying insects for breakfast.
5
Ancient court music performed during imperial banquets.
古人常在庭院中设宴，以燕乐之情度过闲暇时光。
Ancient people often held banquets in their courtyards, spending their leisure time in a spirit of peaceful feasting and joyful entertainment.
6
An affectionate couple, often compared to paired swallows.
这对新婚的夫妻，如同一对燕侣般，每天都洋溢着幸福的笑容，共同编织着未来的美好。
This newlywed couple, like a devoted pair of swallows, beams with happy smiles every day, weaving a beautiful future together.
7
Oats are a type of cereal grain (Avena sativa) widely cultivated in temperate regions as an important food source for both humans and animals.
早餐我喜欢吃燕麦粥，它既健康又美味。
For breakfast, I like to eat oatmeal porridge, it's both healthy and delicious.
8
Porridge made from ground or rolled oats.
每天早上，我都会为自己准备一碗营养丰富的燕麦粥，搭配新鲜水果。
Every morning, I prepare a bowl of nutritious oatmeal for myself, served with fresh fruit.
9
A bramble finch or brambling. Figuratively, it refers to insignificant people or those with small ambitions, often in contrast to great aspirations.
冬季，燕雀成群结队地从北方迁徙到南方过冬。
In winter, bramblings migrate in flocks from the north to the south to spend the season.
10
Living in a fool's paradise; being in a dangerous situation but blissfully unaware of the impending disaster.
小张每天只顾眼前的享乐，对家庭财务的潜在风险视而不见，这种燕雀处屋的心态，总有一天会让他付出代价。
Xiao Zhang only cared about immediate pleasures every day, turning a blind eye to the potential risks in the family's finances. This 'swallows and sparrows nesting in a house' mentality will one day make him pay the price.
11
Common birds (swallow, sparrow, crow, magpie), used metaphorically to describe petty, treacherous, or slanderous individuals.
这位艺术家不理会那些燕雀乌鹊的非议，专注于自己的创作。
The artist paid no attention to the criticisms of those petty individuals, focusing instead on their own creative work.
12
A mountain range in northern Hebei Province, China, extending from Badaling to Shanhaiguan, along whose ridges parts of the Great Wall were built.
燕山山脉风光秀丽，四季景色各异，是户外徒步爱好者的理想之地。
The Yanshan Mountains boast beautiful scenery, with distinct landscapes in each of the four seasons, making them an ideal destination for outdoor hiking enthusiasts.
13
A formal evening coat for men, distinctive for its long, tapering tails at the back, resembling a swallow's tail.
他在舞会上穿了一件帅气的燕尾服。
He wore a handsome tailcoat at the ball.
14
Edible birds' nest, made from the dried salivary secretions of swiftlets, often used in soup.
妈妈为奶奶炖了一碗燕窝，希望她身体健康。
Mom stewed a bowl of bird's nest for grandma, wishing her good health.
15
drink together at a party or dinner
古人常在月下或溪边举行燕饮，以诗会友，畅谈人生。
Ancient people often held banquets under the moon or by the stream, meeting friends through poetry and discussing life.
More words with 燕
- chú雏yàn燕a young swallow; a swallowling
- yàn燕zi子swallow
- yàn燕mài麦piàn片oatmeal, rolled oats
- yān燕jū居to live in retirement, to be at leisure
- yàn燕dài怠To be idle when unsupervised, To slack off in private
- rǔ乳yàn燕Young swallow, Nestling swallow
- yān燕mā妈ma妈Mother swallow, Swallow mother
- yān燕mài麦suì穗oat ear, oat spike
- shēn身qīng轻rú如yàn燕Light as a swallow, Light-footed
- yàn燕lǎo老shī师Teacher Yan
- yàn燕zi子jī矶Yanzi Cliff, Swallow Cliff
- yān燕shān山shān山mài脉Yanshan Mountains
- yàn燕yǐn饮zuò作lè乐Feasting and merrymaking, Banqueting and revelry
Idioms with 燕
- yàn燕cháo巢mù幕shàng上in a precarious situation
- yàn燕cháo巢wēi危mù幕precarious situation
- yàn燕ěr尔xīn新hūn婚newlywed bliss
- yàn燕què雀chù处táng堂Oblivious to impending danger
- yàn燕què雀xiàng相hè贺congratulate on a new home
- yàn燕shòu瘦huán环féi肥diverse forms of female beauty
- yàn燕yǔ语yīng莺shēng声charming chatter of young women
- yàn燕zǐ子xián衔shí食parents' selfless toil raising children
- fēi飞yàn燕yóu游lóng龙graceful, lithe, and ethereal figure
- gē歌yīng莺wǔ舞yàn燕singing orioles and dancing swallows
- hǔ虎tóu头yàn燕hàn颔majestic imposing appearance
- lái来hóng鸿qù去yàn燕to wander from place to place
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Open the tool →Questions about 燕
What does 燕 mean in Chinese?
燕 (yàn) means “At ease” in Chinese.
How do you pronounce 燕?
燕 has 2 pronunciations: yàn, yān.
How many strokes does 燕 have?
燕 has 16 strokes.
How do you write 燕?
燕 is written in 16 strokes, starting from the radical 灬. See the animated stroke order on this page.
What is the radical of 燕?
The radical of 燕 is 灬, and 燕 is an ideographic compound.