塩 (yán) - Salt — a crystalline mineral substance used for & also used metaphorically for experience or bitterness.

塩Tone 2

yán ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

塩 · yán

Salt — a crystalline mineral substance used for seasoning and preserving food;

also used metaphorically for experience or bitterness.

Salt — a crystalline mineral substance used foralso used metaphorically for experience or bitterness.

Usage highlights

Table saltSea saltRock saltSalt industrySalt fieldSalt concentration

Synonyms

  • 盐— salt (simplified Chinese form)
  • 鹹— salty (taste)

Antonyms

  • 糖— sugar (sweet substance)
  • 淡— bland, mild (opposite of salty)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • Add a pinch of salt to the soup (加一点塩).
  • Sea salt is harvested from the ocean (海塩).
  • He is an old salt, a veteran sailor (老練な水夫).
  • The company is in the salt business (塩業).

Collocations

  • Table salt(食塩)
  • Sea salt(海塩)
  • Rock salt(岩塩)
  • Salt industry(塩業)
  • Salt field(塩田)
  • Salt concentration(塩分)

Idioms

  • Add salt to injury(傷口に塩を塗る)
  • Worth one's salt(塩が効いている)
  • Salt of the earth(地の塩)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Salt has been a vital commodity throughout history, used for preservation and trade.
  • In some cultures, salt symbolizes purity, hospitality, or enduring value.
  • Metaphorically, 'salt' can represent experience, as in an 'old salt' meaning a seasoned sailor.

FAQ