宴 (yàn) - banquet, feast & to entertain, to host a dinner party

宴Tone 4

yàn ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

宴 · yàn

banquet, feast;

to entertain, to host a dinner party;

leisurely, at ease

banquet, feastto entertain, to host a dinner partyleisurely, at ease

Usage highlights

banquet hallwedding banquetfeastto entertain guestsstate banquetdinner party

Synonyms

  • 筵— banquet mat; feast
  • 席— feast; banquet
  • 请客— to entertain guests

Antonyms

  • 饥— hunger; famine
  • 饿— hungry; starvation

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • We attended a wedding banquet (婚宴).
  • The company hosted a feast for its employees (公司宴请员工).
  • They held a grand celebration banquet (庆典宴席).
  • He entertained guests at his home (在家宴客).

Collocations

  • banquet hall(宴会厅)
  • wedding banquet(婚宴)
  • feast(宴席)
  • to entertain guests(宴客)
  • state banquet(国宴)
  • dinner party(宴请)

Idioms

  • Newcomer's feast(鸿门宴)
  • Extravagant feast(盛宴)
  • Feast in the wild(野宴)
  • Leisurely and carefree(宴安鸩毒)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, banquets are important social events for building relationships and celebrating occasions.
  • The character appears in historical contexts like the 'Hongmen Banquet' where a feast concealed political intrigue.
  • Banquets symbolize hospitality, generosity, and social status in Chinese society.

FAQ