噞 (yǎn) - To gape & to open the mouth wide, especially of fish

噞Tone 3

yǎn ｜ 16 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

噞 · yǎn

To gape;

to open the mouth wide, especially of fish gasping for air at the water's surface.

To gapeto open the mouth wide, especially of fish

Usage highlights

Fish gapingGasping for breathOpening mouth wideGaping motionGasping at surface

Synonyms

  • 张— to open; to spread
  • 开— to open
  • 喘— to pant; to gasp

Antonyms

  • 闭— to close; to shut
  • 合— to close; to join

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The fish was gasping at the surface (鱼在水面噞噞).
  • He gaped in astonishment at the sight (他惊讶地噞开了嘴).
  • The dying fish's mouth opened and closed (垂死的鱼噞动着).

Collocations

  • Fish gaping(鱼噞)
  • Gasping for breath(噞息)
  • Opening mouth wide(噞口)
  • Gaping motion(噞动)
  • Gasping at surface(水面噞噞)

Idioms

  • Like a fish gasping for breath(如鱼噞水)
  • Gasping with mouth agape(噞口结舌)
  • Breathing one's last(噞噞一息)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily used in classical Chinese texts describing fish behavior or breathing difficulties.
  • Often appears in literary descriptions of dying or struggling creatures.
  • The character is relatively rare in modern usage but preserved in some idioms and classical references.

FAQ