The Calligrapher — Yán Zhēnqīng 颜真卿

Tang master of robust regular script; co-creator of the enduring 'Yan style'.

Tang calligrapher (709–784), master of regular script/running script — the Tang moral paragon whose upright, muscular regular script became the model of Chinese integrity in writing. Tang dynasty

Cultural Story

In the classical tradition: 唉 is a mouth interjection of sighing and regret, not in the Shuowen's formal list but ancient in speech. A farmer 唉聲嘆氣, sighing, after a poor harvest, and 唉呀 was the cry at a sudden mishap. The 楚辭 wanderers heave such sighs at exile's shore. 唉 carries the weariness of fate, the sound a person makes when words fail and only breath, long and low, will do.

Common words & phrases

• 唉声叹气 sigh · heave sighs
• 唉呀 alas · oh

Read the story behind the character

In the modern world: Dad 唉聲嘆氣 — sighs and heaves sighs — over the tax bill, and someone drops a plate with an 唉呀, alas. A student 唉s at the pop quiz, and grandma 唉呀s when the cat knocks the cup. It is the everyday sound of resignation and small shocks, the low exhale we share when life is heavier or clumsier than we hoped.