砚 (yàn) - Inkstone — a stone mortar used for grinding

砚Tone 4

yàn ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

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砚 · yàn

Inkstone — a stone mortar used for grinding and containing ink in Chinese calligraphy and painting.

Inkstone — a stone mortar used for grinding

Usage highlights

InkstoneDuan inkstoneShe inkstoneTao inkstoneInkstone poolInkstone box

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The calligrapher ground ink on the inkstone (砚台).
  • This Duan inkstone (端砚) is highly valued by collectors.
  • He carefully cleaned his inkstone after use (洗砚).
  • The inkstone is one of the Four Treasures of the Study (文房四宝).

Collocations

  • Inkstone(砚台)
  • Duan inkstone(端砚)
  • She inkstone(歙砚)
  • Tao inkstone(洮砚)
  • Inkstone pool(砚池)
  • Inkstone box(砚盒)

Idioms

  • Brush, ink, paper, and inkstone(笔墨纸砚)
  • Grinding ink to a paste(磨墨濡砚)
  • Washing the inkstone at the Wei River(临池洗砚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • One of the Four Treasures of the Study (文房四宝), essential tools for traditional Chinese scholars.
  • High-quality inkstones from Duanxi, Shexian, and Taohe were prized by literati and collectors.
  • Inkstones symbolize scholarly pursuit, refinement, and cultural heritage in Chinese tradition.

FAQ