輦 (niǎn) - Nian — a type of hand-drawn carriage or & to transport by carriage.

輦Tone 3

niǎn ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

輦 · niǎn

Nian — a type of hand-drawn carriage or palanquin used by emperors and nobles in ancient China;

to transport by carriage.

Nian — a type of hand-drawn carriage orto transport by carriage.

Usage highlights

Imperial carriageDragon carriageOrnate carriageCarriage and horseRoyal processionCarriage shaft

Synonyms

  • 车— vehicle, carriage
  • 轿— sedan chair
  • 舆— carriage, palanquin

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The emperor rode in a royal carriage (龙輦).
  • Nobles were transported in ornate palanquins (华輦).
  • The imperial procession included many carriages (车輦).
  • Ancient paintings depict the emperor's carriage (帝輦).

Collocations

  • Imperial carriage(帝輦)
  • Dragon carriage(龙輦)
  • Ornate carriage(华輦)
  • Carriage and horse(车輦)
  • Royal procession(輦毂下)
  • Carriage shaft(輦辕)

Idioms

  • The imperial carriage returns(回輦)
  • Beside the imperial carriage(輦毂之下)
  • The carriage turns back(返輦)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to a human-drawn carriage used by royalty and nobility in ancient China.
  • Symbolized imperial power and status - only the emperor and highest nobles could use certain types of nian.
  • The character components show two men (夫) pulling a cart (車), visually representing its meaning.
  • Appears frequently in historical texts describing imperial processions and court ceremonies.

FAQ