How to Write 筵 (yán) — Meaning “bamboo mat; feast”

Imagine a bamboo mat (竹) that extends (延) across the floor for a large feast. The picture of a long mat "extending" helps you remember both the sound yán and the meaning of feast or banquet.

The top radical 竹 has two small parts: on the left, a short stroke and a dot; on the right, a short stroke and a dot too. The bottom part 延 starts with a rightward curve (乛) followed by 止; make sure the curve is not too long and the 止 is balanced under the bamboo.

All three share the bamboo radical, but 筵 has 延 (extend) below, meaning bamboo mat or feast; 笄 has 幵 (two horizontal lines) below and means a hairpin; 笆 has 巴 (snake shape) below and means a bamboo fence. Visually, look at the bottom component to tell them apart.

筵 appears in formal words for banquets, such as 筵席 (feast), 喜筵 (wedding banquet), and 寿筵 (birthday banquet for the elderly). It is not used in everyday speech but is common on invitations, in literature, or when describing traditional celebrations.

Common words containing 筵 include: 筵席 (yán xí) — feast; banquet; 喜筵 (xǐ yán) — Wedding banquet; 寿筵 (shòu yán) — Birthday banquet (for an elderly person).