Word: 砚 (yàn) Traditional: 硯 砚 dictionary entry yàn ink-stone Full dictionary entry for 砚 Example sentences using 砚 3 sentences, showing page 1 of 1. 书法课上，老师教我们怎么选砚。 Shūfǎ kè shàng, lǎoshī jiāo wǒmen zěnme xuǎn yàn. In calligraphy class, the teacher taught us how to choose an inkstone. 笔、墨、纸、砚，合称文房四宝。 Bǐ, mò, zhǐ, yàn, héchēng wénfángsìbǎo. The brush, ink, paper and inkstone are together called the Four Treasures of the Study. 笔墨纸砚是文房四宝。 Bǐmò zhǐ yàn shì wénfángsìbǎo. Brush, ink, paper and inkstone are the Four Treasures of the Study.