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

硯Tone 4

yàn ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

妍嬿

硯 · 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 inkstoneChengni inkstoneInkstone pool

Synonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He ground the ink stick on the inkstone (砚台).
  • This antique inkstone is very valuable (古砚).
  • The Four Treasures of the Study are brush, ink, paper, and inkstone (文房四宝).
  • She bought a new inkstone for calligraphy class (新砚台).

Collocations

  • Inkstone(砚台)
  • Duan inkstone(端砚)
  • She inkstone(歙砚)
  • Tao inkstone(洮砚)
  • Chengni inkstone(澄泥砚)
  • Inkstone pool(砚池)

Idioms

  • To grind through an inkstone(磨穿铁砚)
  • The inkstone field and the ink pool(砚田墨池)
  • To wash the inkstone(涤砚)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The inkstone is one of the Four Treasures of the Study, essential to traditional Chinese scholarly culture.
  • Famous inkstones like Duan, She, and Tao are highly prized collectibles, valued for their texture and ability to grind ink finely.
  • Inkstones symbolize scholarly dedication, perseverance, and cultural refinement.

FAQ