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March 24, 2026
袁yuán(Yuan2)
袁 (yuán) primarily refers to a surname in Chinese, which is one of the most common family names in the country. Additionally, it can denote a type of robe, particularly in historical contexts, linking it to traditional clothing and culture.
Strokes10Radical衣Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The surname 袁 has historical significance and is associated with notable figures in Chinese history, such as Yuan Shikai, who was a key political figure in the early 20th century. This adds depth to the character's relevance in Chinese culture.
Memory Tip
Imagine a grand robe flowing elegantly in a breeze, and visualize it adorned with the character 袁 (yuán) on it. The '袁' resembles a flowing piece of fabric, hinting at its meaning related to clothing.
Meanings of 袁
yuán(Yuan2)
1robe; surname
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
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About 袁
袁Simplified
10Strokes
衣Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 袁
Podcast: 袁
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AI Study Notes for 袁
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a grand robe flowing elegantly in a breeze, and visualize it adorned with the character 袁 (yuán) on it. The '袁' resembles a flowing piece of fabric, hinting at its meaning related to clothing.
Usage Notes
When using 袁 as a surname, it is important to note that it is often placed before the given name in Chinese naming conventions. Learners should also be cautious with the tone, ensuring they pronounce it with the second tone (yuán) to avoid confusion with other characters.
HSK Study Tips
Although 袁 is not listed in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects with HSK Level 1 and 2 characters like 名 (míng, name) and 姓 (xìng, surname). Students should focus on recognizing surnames and their usage in conversations.
Cultural Note
The surname 袁 has historical significance and is associated with notable figures in Chinese history, such as Yuan Shikai, who was a key political figure in the early 20th century. This adds depth to the character's relevance in Chinese culture.
Common Mistakes
Learners may confuse 袁 with similar-sounding surnames like 袁 (yuán) and 阮 (ruǎn). It's important to practice the tones, as using the wrong tone can lead to misidentification of the surname.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 袁
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Grammar Patterns of 袁
袁 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 2 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 1
Complete the Sentence
各诸侯, 举____绍为 盟主, 带各路兵马杀向洛阳,讨伐董贼.
Yuan Shao , the leader of an opposition force , led a punitive expedition to L & # 252 ; oyang, the capital.
Yuan Shao , the leader of an opposition force , led a punitive expedition to L & # 252 ; oyang, the capital.
Cultural Notes for 袁
🏮Cultural insight
The surname 袁 has historical significance and is associated with notable figures in Chinese history, such as Yuan Shikai, who was a key political figure in the early 20th century. This adds depth to the character's relevance in Chinese culture.
Word Family of 袁
Words Containing This Character11
袁yuánsurname Yuan
袁绍Yuan Shao (153-202), general during late Han, subsequently warlord袁紹
袁世凯Yuan Shikai (1859-1916), senior general of late Qing, subsequently warlord and self-proclaimed emperor of China袁世凱
袁咏仪Anita Yuen (1971-), Hong Kong actress袁詠儀
袁枚Yuan Mei (1716-1798), famous Qing poet and critic, one of Three great poets of the Qianlong era 乾嘉三大家
袁州Yuanzhou district of Yichun city 宜春市, Jiangxi
袁宏道Yuan Hongdao (1568-1610), Ming dynasty poet and travel writer
袁州区Yuanzhou district of Yichun city 宜春市, Jiangxi袁州區
袁静Yuan Jing (1911-), writer, dramatist and film critic袁靜
袁头silver coin from the early days of the Republic of China (1912-1949) bearing the head of Yuan Shikai 袁世凱|袁世凯[YuánShìkǎi]袁頭
袁于令Yuan Yuling (-1674) Qing writer, author of 西樓記|西楼记[XīlóuJì]
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 袁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 袁
Yes, 袁 is one of the more common surnames in China.
The pinyin for 袁 is 'yuán'.
Besides being a surname, 袁 can also refer to a type of robe in historical contexts.
