Common Meanings
1
yàn砚
An inkstone; a slab of stone or other material used for grinding and holding ink, especially for traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting.
书房的桌子上摆放着一套精美的笔墨纸砚。
On the study table, there is a set of exquisite brushes, ink, paper, and an inkstone.
An archaic term referring to a schoolmate or fellow student, derived from the tradition of classmates sharing inkstones and writing implements.
虽然毕业多年，我们这些同砚情谊依旧深厚。
Although many years have passed since graduation, the bond among us schoolmates remains deep.