Definitions

yuán (noun) long robe

Etymology

Depicts a hand () putting on clothes (). Based on the original meaning "get into armor", now written as . A circle () was later added in the middle to indicate the sound.

About

The character 袁 (yuán) originated as a pictograph of a long, flowing robe, a meaning reflected in its early structure incorporating elements related to clothing. Its modern form combines the components 土 (tǔ) at the top, 口 (kǒu) in the middle, and 衣 (yī) at the bottom, the latter preserving its original connection to garments. While it once denoted long robes, this primary sense has largely fallen out of use. Today, 袁 functions almost exclusively as a common Chinese surname, its original sartorial meaning no longer apparent in everyday language.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我的朋友姓

Wǒ de péngyou xìng Yuán.

My friend's surname is Yuan.

先生是老师。

Yuán xiānsheng shì lǎoshī.

Mr. Yuan is a teacher.

小姐来自北京。

Yuán xiǎojiě lái zì Běijīng.

Miss Yuan comes from Beijing.

教授教我们数学。

Yuán jiàoshòu jiāo wǒmen shùxué.

Professor Yuan teaches us mathematics.

叔叔经常帮助邻居。

Yuán shūshu jīngcháng bāngzhù línjū.

Uncle Yuan often helps his neighbors.

去年阿姨去了上海。

Qùnián Yuán āyí qùle Shànghǎi.

Last year, Aunt Yuan went to Shanghai.

因为爷爷生病了,所以我们去看他。

Yīnwèi Yuán yéye shēngbìngle, suǒyǐ wǒmen qù kàn tā.

Because Grandpa Yuan is sick, we went to visit him.

博士的研究成果对农业有重大贡献。

Yuán bóshì de yánjiū chéngguǒ duì nóngyè yǒu zhòngdà gòngxiàn.

Dr. Yuan's research achievements have made significant contributions to agriculture.