滟 (yàn) - Glistening, shimmering, sparkling — describes the appearance of

滟Tone 4

yàn ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

滟 · yàn

Glistening, shimmering, sparkling — describes the appearance of rippling, shimmering water or other reflective surfaces.

Glistening, shimmering, sparkling — describes the appearance of

Usage highlights

Glistening wavesShimmering ripplesSparkling eyesGlimmering waterLustrous and beautifulThe Yanyu Ridge, a dangerous reef in the Yangtze River

Synonyms

  • 潋— rippling water, waves
  • 粼— clear, crystalline (of water)
  • 烁— glittering, sparkling

Antonyms

  • 浊— turbid, muddy
  • 暗— dark, dim

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The lake shimmered in the sunlight (湖水潋滟).
  • Her eyes were bright and sparkling (眼波滟滟).
  • The wine in the cup glistened (杯中酒光滟滟).

Collocations

  • Glistening waves(滟滟波光)
  • Shimmering ripples(潋滟)
  • Sparkling eyes(眼波滟滟)
  • Glimmering water(水光滟滟)
  • Lustrous and beautiful(滟丽)
  • The Yanyu Ridge, a dangerous reef in the Yangtze River(滟滪堆)

Idioms

  • Water shimmering under sunlight(水光潋滟)
  • Eyes sparkling with emotion(眼波滟滟)
  • The Yanyu Reef in the Yangtze(滟滪堆)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical Chinese poetry to describe beautiful, shimmering water surfaces.
  • The character appears in the famous phrase '水光潋滟晴方好' from Su Shi's poem about West Lake.
  • 滟滪堆 was a famous dangerous reef in the Yangtze River's Three Gorges, now submerged after the construction of the Three Gorges Dam.

FAQ