Definitions

yuán (adjective) original; primary
yuán (noun) source; cause; origin
yuán (adjective) former; raw
yuán (adjective) level; flat

Etymology

Depicts water coming from a spring () on a cliff ().

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "原" originates from the conceptual depiction of a spring emerging from a cliff, with its structure integrating the component for cliff with that for spring to represent a natural water source. This foundational composition led to its early meaning of "source" or "origin", which subsequently broadened to encompass abstract notions such as fundamental cause or inherent nature. Over time, the character's semantic range expanded to include the sense of open plains or flatlands, a shift likely influenced by geographical contexts where such expanses were perceived as primordial landscapes. The traditional form, maintaining these layered meanings, retains its original structural elements that continue to allude to its etymological beginnings despite the adaptive extensions in its usage.

Etymology Hide

Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Seal etymology image
Seal Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Wu (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我喜欢草

Wǒ xǐhuān cǎoyuán.

I like the grassland.

来很高。

Tā yuánlái hěn gāo.

He was originally very tall.

这是什么因?

Zhè shì shénme yuányīn?

What is the reason for this?

谅我的错误。

Qǐng yuánliàng wǒ de cuòwù.

Please forgive my mistake.

我们必须坚持则。

Wǒmen bìxū jiānchí yuánzé.

We must adhere to principles.

始社会的人类生活很艰苦。

Yuánshǐ shèhuì de rénlèi shēnghuó hěn jiānkǔ.

Life in primitive society was very hard.

本计划去旅行,但取消了。

Tā yuánběn jìhuà qù lǚxíng, dàn qǔxiāo le.

He originally planned to travel, but canceled.

这部电影是根据著小说改编的。

Zhè bù diànyǐng shì gēnjù yuánzhù xiǎoshuō gǎibiān de.

This movie is adapted from the original novel.