偃 (yǎn) - to cease, to desist & to lay down

偃Tone 3

yǎn ｜ 11 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

偃 · yǎn

to cease, to desist;

to lay down;

to fall down;

to lie prostrate;

to rest;

to stop military operations.

to cease, to desistto lay downto fall down

Usage highlights

to lay down arms and restto cease wind and calm wavesto lie down and restto stop military operationsto put away the flag and stop drumsYanqi County

Synonyms

  • 息— to cease, to rest
  • 止— to stop, to halt
  • 卧— to lie down

Antonyms

  • 起— to rise, to get up
  • 兴— to rise, to prosper
  • 动— to move, to act

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The troops laid down their arms and rested (偃武休兵).
  • The wind ceased and the waves calmed (偃风静浪).
  • He lay down on the grass to rest (偃卧在草地上).
  • The rebellion was quelled and peace restored (偃兵息甲).

Collocations

  • to lay down arms and rest(偃武休兵)
  • to cease wind and calm waves(偃风静浪)
  • to lie down and rest(偃卧)
  • to stop military operations(偃兵)
  • to put away the flag and stop drums(偃旗息鼓)
  • Yanqi County(偃师市)

Idioms

  • To cease all activities and lie low(偃旗息鼓)
  • To live in contentment and ease(偃仰啸歌)
  • To lay down weapons and cultivate civility(偃武修文)
  • To stop fighting and rest the troops(偃武休兵)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical texts to describe the cessation of military action or laying down of arms.
  • Associated with the historical figure Yan Zi (偃), a disciple of Confucius known for his literary and moral accomplishments.
  • The character appears in place names like Yanqi County (偃师市) in Henan Province.

FAQ