# Yan

/ˈjæn/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/yan
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. that one over there

determiner · CEFR C2 · Dialect · American English

a word used in some parts of the US to mean 'that' or 'yonder'.

For teachers: a regional variant of 'yonder', functioning as a determiner to indicate a distant but visible object.

- Look at yan mountain peak just appearing through the clouds.
- In certain Appalachian communities, speakers might use 'yan' to direct attention toward a specific landmark in the distance.

### 3. historical Chinese kingdom

noun · CEFR C2 · Formal

a powerful kingdom in ancient China that existed thousands of years ago.

For teachers: a significant march, duchy, and kingdom in northeastern China during the Zhou dynasty and subsequent periods.

- The state of Yan was an important power during the Warring States period.
- Historians study the state of Yan to understand the complex geopolitical landscape of northeastern China before the first imperial unification.

## Examples

- The yan helped his father fix the fence.
- In the old village, every yan was expected to work in the fields by age ten.
- The ballad describes a brave yan who rode into battle despite his father's warnings.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.