Definitions

quán (noun) spring; fountain

Etymology

Depicts water () coming out of a crack in a rock.

About

The character "泉" originates from early pictographic concepts representing a water spring, with its contemporary form consisting of the components "白" positioned above "水", where the upper element historically symbolizes the opening of a spring rather than denoting the color white, and the lower element explicitly indicates water. This structural composition has consistently mirrored its core meaning of a natural source of flowing water across centuries. Its primary signification as a fountain or wellspring has endured essentially unchanged, though in classical usage it occasionally acquired metaphorical extensions to convey ideas of origin or fundamental source, demonstrating a subtle expansion from its purely physical reference. The graphic representation of the character has remained stable in its standard configuration, reflecting a direct and enduring link between its visual form and its etymological essence.

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)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Western Zhou (~800 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Warring States (475-221 BC)
Bronze etymology image
Bronze Late Warring States (~250 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 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 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

水很清凉。

Quánshuǐ hěn qīngliáng.

The spring water is very cool.

公园里有一个喷

Gōngyuán lǐ yǒu yī gè pēnquán.

There is a fountain in the park.

我们去泡温吧。

Wǒmen qù pào wēnquán ba.

Let's go soak in the hot spring.

水的味道有点甜。

Quánshuǐ de wèidao yǒudiǎn tián.

The taste of spring water is a bit sweet.

这眼水来自深山。

Zhè yǎn quánshuǐ láizì shēnshān.

This spring comes from the deep mountains.

对健康有好处。

Wēnquán duì jiànkāng yǒu hǎochù.

Hot springs are good for health.

眼周围长满了青苔。

Quányǎn zhōuwéi zhǎng mǎn le qīngtái.

The spring outlet is surrounded by moss.

这座城市以冷闻名。

Zhè zuò chéngshì yǐ lěngquán wénmíng.

This city is famous for its cold springs.