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缘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
缘
yuán
cause
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
reason
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
karma
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
fate
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
predestined affinity
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
margin
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
hem
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
edge
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
缘
yuán
along
n, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Very Hard
yuán(yuan2)yuan T2
1cause
2reason
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March 24, 2026
缘(緣)yuán(yuan2)
缘 (yuán) refers to the concept of fate or predestined connections between people, often viewed as a form of affinity or karmic cause. It is commonly used in contexts discussing relationships, destiny, and the reasons behind particular events or encounters.
Strokes12Radical纟Frequency#8076DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, 缘 is often viewed as a fundamental concept that influences relationships and life's outcomes, emphasizing the belief that people are brought together by fate or karma. This belief is prevalent in discussions about romantic relationships and friendships.
Memory tip
Imagine two people standing on opposite edges of a cliff, connected by a thin rope (缘), symbolizing their fated relationship. The rope represents the 'cause' that brings them together, while the cliff's edge signifies the margins of their lives that intertwine through destiny.
Meanings of 缘
yuán(yuan2)
1cause
2reason
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 缘 means.
About 缘
缘Simplified
緣Traditional
12Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8076Frequency Rank
Podcast: 缘
Podcast: 缘
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AI study notes for 缘
Quick Contrast
缘 (yuán) vs 份 (fèn) — use 缘 when emphasizing predestined connections, while 份 refers more to the share or portion of something.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 缘 with similar-sounding words, leading to misinterpretation in context. It is more commonly used in informal contexts when discussing relationships rather than in formal writing. Pay attention to its usage in phrases like '缘分' (yuánfèn), which signifies predestined affinity.
HSK Study Tips
While 缘 is not listed in the HSK vocabulary, it connects with words related to relationships and fate, which are important themes at higher levels. Students should focus on understanding its usage in idiomatic expressions and how it relates to personal connections.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 缘 by treating it like a direct synonym for 'reason' in all contexts, leading to awkward phrases. For example, saying '这件事的缘是因为...' (Zhè jiàn shì de yuán shì yīnwèi...) is incorrect; instead, use '原因' (yuányīn) for 'reason' in this context.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 缘
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Example
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缘 = 纟 + 彖. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 缘
IDS Structure⿰纟彖
缘Full character
=
纟si1
left
彖tuan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 缘?
How to say cause in Chinese
“cause” in Chinese is缘yuán
缘 (yuán) refers to the concept of fate or predestined connections between people, often viewed as a form of affinity or karmic cause. It is commonly used in contexts discussing relationships, destiny, and the reasons behind particular events or encounters.
When to use 缘
Learners often confuse 缘 with similar-sounding words, leading to misinterpretation in context. It is more commonly used in informal contexts when discussing relationships rather than in formal writing. Pay attention to its usage in phrases like '缘分' (yuánfèn), which signifies predestined affinity.
缘 or something close to it
缘 (yuán) vs 份 (fèn) — use 缘 when emphasizing predestined connections, while 份 refers more to the share or portion of something.
What learners get wrong
Learners often misuse 缘 by treating it like a direct synonym for 'reason' in all contexts, leading to awkward phrases. For example, saying '这件事的缘是因为...' (Zhè jiàn shì de yuán shì yīnwèi...) is incorrect; instead, use '原因' (yuányīn) for 'reason' in this context.
Write 缘
缘
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Practice writing 缘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 缘
缘 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
这是眼睑边____红肿发炎的症状。
This is an irritation and inflammation of the edge of the eyelid.
Common confusions with 缘
缘vs员
yuán
Same pinyin but different meanings.
Exercise 1 of 1
Which one
Which one means “cause”?
or
Example sentences for 缘 (16)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
这是眼睑边缘红肿发炎的症状。
zhè shì yǎn jiǎn biānyuán hóng zhǒng fāyán de zhèngzhuàng。
This is an irritation and inflammation of the edge of the eyelid.
Another high - vale center is at the eastern fringe of the plateau.
9
远处峡谷的西缘，一只丛林狼嚎叫了两声。
yuǎnchù xiágǔ de xī yuán， yī zhī cónglín láng háo jiào le liǎng shēng。
Far up the west rim of the canyon, a coyote yipped twice.
10
请检查一下我屋子里电线的绝缘情况.
qǐng jiǎnchá yíxià wǒ wūzi lǐ diànxiàn de juéyuán qíngkuàng.
Please examine the insulation of the electric wires in my house.
11
我们相遇是因为缘分。
Wǒmen xiāngyù shì yīnwèi yuánfèn.
We met because of fate.
12
他生病的缘由是天气变化。
Tā shēngbìng de yuányóu shì tiānqì biànhuà.
The cause of his illness is the weather change.
13
老师说努力学习是成功的缘由。
Lǎoshī shuō nǔlì xuéxí shì chénggōng de yuányóu.
The teacher says hard work is the cause of success.
14
他失败的缘由是粗心。
Tā shībài de yuányóu shì cūxīn.
The cause of his failure is carelessness.
15
他没来上课的缘是生病了。
Tā méi lái shàngkè de yuán shì shēngbìng le.
The cause of him not attending class was that he was sick.
16
下雨是我们取消比赛的缘。
Xiàyǔ shì wǒmen qǔxiāo bǐsài de yuán.
The cause of us canceling the match was the rain.
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Cultural Notes for 缘
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
Unlike many Western cultures that prioritize individualism, the Chinese concept of 缘 emphasizes interconnectedness and destiny in relationships, suggesting that encounters are often preordained.
Word Family of 缘
Compounds1
橼yuáncitrus
Words containing this character20
边缘biānyuánedge邊緣
缘yuáncause緣
缘故yuángùreason緣故
缘分yuánfèn(Budd.) destiny緣分
无缘无故wúyuánwúgùno cause, no reason (idiom); completely uncalled for無緣無故
无缘wúyuánno chance無緣
血缘xuèyuánbloodline血緣
人缘rényuánrelations with other people人緣
缘由yuányóureason緣由
有缘yǒuyuánrelated有緣
绝缘juéyuánto be cut off from絕緣
地缘dìyuángeographic situation地緣
机缘jīyuánchance機緣
缘于yuányúowing to緣於
姻缘yīnyuána marriage predestined by fate姻緣
投缘tóuyuánto hit it off投緣
因缘yīnyuánchance因緣
结缘jiéyuánto form ties結緣
边缘化biānyuánhuàto marginalize邊緣化
情缘qíngyuánpredestined love情緣
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 缘
What does 橼 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 缘
While 缘 refers to fate and predestined connections, 机会 means opportunity, which is more about chance and choice in actions.
Yes, it can describe the fateful connections that lead to partnerships, though it's more commonly used in personal relationships.
You can say '我们之间有缘' (Wǒmen zhījiān yǒu yuán), meaning 'There is a destined connection between us.'
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