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Yan Ying
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晏子

Yànzǐ
proper noun

Meanings

  1. 1 Yanzi, statesman and philosopher of the state of Qi during the Spring and Autumn period
  2. 2 also known as Yan Ying 晏婴

About Yan Ying

c. 578–500 BC · 政治家 politician

Chief minister of the state of Qi under three rulers, known for his frugal life and quick wit. In the story 晏子使楚, read in Chinese schools, he turns the king of Chu's mockery of his short height back on the king.

Also called  晏婴

Examples

HSK 5
《 Yànzǐ Chūnqiū 》 jìzǎi le xǔduō tā de gùshi.
The Annals of Master Yan records many of his stories.
HSK 7-9
Yànzǐ yǐ jīzhì hé jiéjiǎn wénmíng.
Yanzi was famous for his wit and frugality.

Tips

culture
Two idioms come from his stories: 二桃杀三士, from his ploy of offering two peaches to three proud warriors, who all ended up killing themselves over who deserved them, and 南橘北枳, his retort in Chu that people, like oranges, change with the soil they grow in.

Stroke Order

晏 Yàn
子 zǐ