Definitions

wàn (numeral) ten thousand; great number

Etymology

Variant of . Depicts a person () with a cover on top, conveying the original meaning "to not be seen". The current meaning is a phonetic loan. Simplified form of .

About

The character originated as a variant of , depicting a person () with a cover on top to convey the meaning "to not be seen". This original sense was lost when the character was later borrowed phonetically for the number ten thousand, and it was subsequently adopted as the simplified form of . The traditional once depicted a scorpion with claws and tail, but that imagery was abandoned after a similar phonetic loan for the same number. Today, is the standard numeral for ten thousand and metaphorically conveys a myriad, absolute certainty, or an uncountable quantity.

Etymology Hide

Oracle etymology image
Oracle (~1250-1000 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Early Warring States (~400 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Jin dynasty (266-420 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

这里有一人。

Zhèlǐ yǒu yī wàn rén.

There are ten thousand people here.

年以前有恐龙。

Wàn nián yǐqián yǒu kǒnglóng.

There were dinosaurs ten thousand years ago.

一他不来怎么办?

Wànyī tā bù lái zěnme bàn?

What should we do if he doesn't come?

我走了里路。

Wǒ zǒu le wàn lǐ lù.

I have walked ten thousand miles.

春天物复苏。

Chūntiān wànwù fùsū.

In spring, all things come back to life.

这个工具是能的。

Zhège gōngjù shì wànnéng de.

This tool is versatile.

一遇到困难,不要放弃。

Wànyī yù dào kùnnán, bùyào fàngqì.

If you encounter difficulties, don't give up.

他的存款有几十元。

Tā de cúnkuǎn yǒu jǐshí wàn yuán.

His savings are several hundred thousand yuan.