灎 (yàn) - Glistening — describes the shimmering, sparkling appearance of & rippling, glistening.

灎Tone 4

yàn ｜ 26 strokes ｜ radical:

嬿一

灎 · yàn

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

rippling, glistening.

Glistening — describes the shimmering, sparkling appearance ofrippling, glistening.

Usage highlights

Glistening wavesSparkling waterRippling lightGlistening wineShimmering lakeLustrous appearance

Synonyms

  • 滟— glistening, sparkling (simplified variant)
  • 潋— rippling, overflowing (often used together as 潋灎)
  • 粼— clear, crystalline (of water)

Antonyms

  • 浊— turbid, muddy
  • 暗— dark, dim

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The lake shimmered in the sunlight (湖水灎灎).
  • Her eyes glistened with tears (泪光灎灎).
  • The wine swirled and glistened in the glass (杯中酒灎).

Collocations

  • Glistening waves(灎灎波光)
  • Sparkling water(水光灎灎)
  • Rippling light(光灎)
  • Glistening wine(酒灎)
  • Shimmering lake(湖光灎灎)
  • Lustrous appearance(灎色)

Idioms

  • Water shimmering and mountains gleaming(水光灎灎山色空蒙)
  • Rippling waves glistening(波光灎灎)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Primarily used in classical Chinese poetry and literature to describe beautiful, shimmering water surfaces.
  • Represents a aesthetic appreciation of natural beauty, particularly the play of light on water.
  • Considered an elegant, literary character with strong visual and sensory connotations.

FAQ