运

運

yùn

云 + 辶

HSK 3.0Level 5

Definitions

yùn (verb) to transport; to carry; to move

yùn (verb) to use; to apply

yùn (noun) fortune; luck; fate

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 辶 represents the meaning and 云 represents the sound. Simplified form of 運.

Semantic: 辶 Phonetic: 云

About

运 is a simplified form of the traditional 運, a phono-semantic compound. The semantic component 辶 (chuò) indicates walking or movement, while the original phonetic was 軍 (jūn, 'army'), reflecting an early meaning of moving troops and supplies. In the simplified character, the complex 軍 is replaced by 云 (yún, 'cloud') for its sound, and 辶 remains. The concrete senses of transport and revolving later extended to abstract concepts like fate, fortune, and luck, based on the idea that destiny is a constantly turning cycle.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Seal Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

火车运输货物。

Huǒchē yùnshū huòwù.

Trains transport goods.

他的运气一直很好。

Tā de yùnqì yīzhí hěn hǎo.

His luck has always been good.

这个应用程序很有用。

Zhège yìngyòng chéngxù hěn yǒuyòng.

This application is very useful.

这家公司运营得很成功。

Zhè jiā gōngsī yùnyíng de hěn chénggōng.

This company operates very successfully.

我们要做好运动会准备工作。

Wǒmen yào zuò hǎo yùndònghuì zhǔnbèi gōngzuò.

We need to prepare well for the sports meet.

商品的运输成本有所增加。

Shāngpǐn de yùnshū chéngběn yǒusuǒ zēngjiā.

The transportation cost of the goods has increased.

他不相信命运是由天注定的。

Tā bù xiāngxìn mìngyùn shì yóu tiān zhùdìng de.

He doesn't believe that destiny is predetermined by heaven.

这家集团在全球范围内运作业务。

Zhè jiā jítuán zài quánqiú fànwéi nèi yùnzuò yèwù.

This conglomerate operates its business globally.

Related Characters

Component: 云

Component: 辶

运