垔 (yīn) - To block, obstruct & to stop up

垔Tone 1

yīn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

懿嘤

垔 · yīn

To block, obstruct;

to stop up;

ancient place name;

also used in various historical contexts.

To block, obstructto stop upancient place name

Usage highlights

Ancient state of YinBlock and obstructYin ruinsYin inscriptionsYin mountainYin city

Synonyms

  • 塞— to block, obstruct
  • 阻— to hinder, obstruct
  • 障— to obstruct, barrier

Antonyms

  • 通— to open, pass through
  • 畅— smooth, unobstructed

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The ancient state of Yin (垔国) was located in modern-day Henan province.
  • The floodwaters were blocked (垔塞) by the dam.
  • Archaeologists discovered Yin (垔) inscriptions on oracle bones.

Collocations

  • Ancient state of Yin(垔国)
  • Block and obstruct(垔塞)
  • Yin ruins(垔墟)
  • Yin inscriptions(垔文)
  • Yin mountain(垔山)
  • Yin city(垔城)

Idioms

  • Blocked and obstructed(垔塞不通)
  • The fall of the Yin state(垔国覆亡)
  • Yin mountains and rivers(垔山垔水)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • 垔 appears in ancient texts as a place name, particularly referring to the Yin state during the Shang and Zhou dynasties.
  • The character is composed of 西 (west) over 土 (earth), suggesting a western earthen mound or obstruction.
  • It appears in bronze inscriptions and oracle bone scripts, indicating its ancient usage.

FAQ