How common it is
沿 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say yán slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“沿”表示顺着某个方向或路线，常用来描述沿着河流、道路或边界移动。
“Yán” biǎoshì shùnzhe mǒu gè fāngxiàng huò lùxiàn, cháng yòng lái miáoshù yánzhe héliú, dàolù huò biānjiè yídòng.
“沿” means following a direction or route, often used to describe moving along a river, road, or boundary.
Context note
在日常生活里，我们可以说“沿着小路走”或者“沿着河边散步”，表示顺着某个路径前进。
Zài rìcháng shēnghuó lǐ, wǒmen kěyǐ shuō “yánzhe xiǎo lù zǒu” huòzhě “yánzhe hé biān sànbù”, biǎoshì shùnzhe mǒu gè lùjìng qiánjìn.
In daily life, we can say “walk along the path” or “stroll along the river,” meaning to proceed along a certain route.
5 examples
我们沿着公园的小路跑步。
wǒ men yán zhe gōng yuán de xiǎo lù pǎo bù。
We run along the path in the park.
她沿着河边慢慢走。
tā yán zhe hé biān màn màn zǒu。
She walks slowly along the river.
沿着这条街走，你会看到学校。
yán zhe zhè tiáo jiē zǒu， nǐ huì kàn dào xué xiào。
Walk along this street, and you will see the school.
小鸟沿着电线飞。
xiǎo niǎo yán zhe diàn xiàn fēi。
The little bird flies along the wire.
我们沿着海岸线骑车。
wǒ men yán zhe hǎi àn xiàn qí chē。
We ride bikes along the coastline.
5 mini stories
小明沿着小路去上学。他看到了很多花。
xiǎo míng yán zhe xiǎo lù qù shàng xué。 tā kàn dào le hěn duō huā。
Xiao Ming goes to school along the path. He sees many flowers.
小猫沿着墙边慢慢走。它想抓蝴蝶。
xiǎo māo yán zhe qiáng biān màn màn zǒu。 tā xiǎng zhuā hú dié。
The kitten walks slowly along the wall. It wants to catch a butterfly.
我们沿着操场跑步。大家都很开心。
wǒ men yán zhe cāo chǎng pǎo bù。 dà jiā dōu hěn kāi xīn。
We run along the playground. Everyone is very happy.
爸爸沿着河边钓鱼。他钓到了一条大鱼。
bà ba yán zhe hé biān diào yú。 tā diào dào le yì tiáo dà yú。
Dad fishes along the river. He catches a big fish.
小红沿着楼梯上楼。她小心地走。
xiǎo hóng yán zhe lóu tī shàng lóu。 tā xiǎo xīn dì zǒu。
Xiao Hong goes upstairs along the stairs. She walks carefully.