焉 (yān) - A classical Chinese particle with multiple functions: (1) & (2) as a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'here', 'there',
焉 · yān
A classical Chinese particle with multiple functions: (1) as a final interrogative particle meaning 'how', 'why', or 'where';
(2) as a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'here', 'there', or 'this';
(3) as a conjunctive adverb meaning 'then' or 'thereupon';
(4) as a negative particle in certain contexts.
A classical Chinese particle with multiple functions: (1)(2) as a demonstrative pronoun meaning 'here', 'there',(3) as a conjunctive adverb meaning 'then' or
Usage highlights
How to knowHow can it beHow dareThere is none greater than thisHow could it be otherwiseWhere is it
Usage & contexts
Examples
- How can one know such things?(焉知?)
- There is no greater happiness than this.(乐莫大焉)
- He who excels as a ruler will have ministers who die for him.(君为臣纲，臣焉得不死?)
- The heart desires, but how to achieve it?(心欲之，焉得?)
Collocations
- How to know(焉知)
- How can it be(焉能)
- How dare(焉敢)
- There is none greater than this(莫大焉)
- How could it be otherwise(焉得不)
- Where is it(焉在)
Idioms
- Where there is smoke, there is fire(有烟焉有火)
- The heart has its reasons which reason knows not(心之所欲，焉知其故)
- He who does not work neither shall he eat(不劳焉获)
- A leopard cannot change its spots(豹焉能易其斑)
Cultural background
FAQ- Frequently appears in classical Chinese texts, especially in Confucian and philosophical works.
- Used as a rhetorical device to express doubt, inquiry, or emphasis in literary contexts.
- Often appears in set phrases and idioms derived from classical literature.