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    Chinese Grammar

    Referring to smoke with 烟 (yān)

    Existence & Possession
    Topic & Focus

    Structure

    烟 + Verb / 烟 + Noun

    Explanation

    烟 means "smoke," referring to the visible vapor produced by burning. It can describe cigarette smoke, cooking smoke, or any airborne haze from combustion. It is also used figuratively in expressions related to everyday life and human activity.

    Examples

    • 厨房里的烟太大了，快开窗户吧。

      chúfáng lǐ de yān tài dà le, kuài kāi chuānghu ba.

      There's too much smoke in the kitchen; open the window quickly!

    • 远处山上冒出一缕烟。

      yuǎnchù shān shàng mào chū yī lǚ yān.

      A wisp of smoke rose from the distant mountain.

    • 他站在门口，看着烟慢慢散去。

      tā zhàn zài ménkǒu, kànzhe yān mànmàn sànqù.

      He stood at the door, watching the smoke slowly dissipate.

    Often Confused With

    Referring to smoke with 烟 (yān) | Chinese Grammar