unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #52375, Very Hard
渊
yuān
deep
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #52375, Very Hard
渊
yuān
profound
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 氵, rank #52375, Very Hard
yuān(yuan1) T1
1abyss, depth; to surge up, to bubble up
2deep pool
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March 24, 2026
渊(淵)yuān(yuan1)
The character 渊 (yuān) refers to a deep body of water, such as an abyss or a deep pool. It can also imply a profound depth in a metaphorical sense, often used to describe deep emotions or profound knowledge. In common usage, it conveys the idea of something that is deep, either physically or intellectually.
Strokes11Radical氵Frequency#52375DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, the concept of depth often symbolizes wisdom and profound thought, reflecting the high value placed on knowledge and introspection in Chinese culture. The term is frequently used in classical texts to convey insights on human nature and philosophy.
Memory Tip
Imagine a giant, deep abyss (渊) where bubbles (泡) are surging up from the bottom. The left part of the character, 水 (water), reminds you of water's depth, while the right part can evoke thoughts of a bubbling surface, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'yuān'.
Meanings of 渊
yuān(yuan1)
1abyss, depth; to surge up, to bubble up
2deep pool
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 渊
渊Simplified
淵Traditional
11Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 渊
Podcast: 渊
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AI Study Notes for 渊
Quick Contrast
深 (shēn) - use 渊 to emphasize a deep body of water or profound depth, while 深 is more general for depth in various contexts.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a giant, deep abyss (渊) where bubbles (泡) are surging up from the bottom. The left part of the character, 水 (water), reminds you of water's depth, while the right part can evoke thoughts of a bubbling surface, helping you remember both the meaning and the pronunciation 'yuān'.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 渊 with 深 (shēn), which also means deep but is used more broadly. While 渊 is more specific to water and depth, 深 can refer to abstract qualities as well. Be mindful of the tone; using the wrong tone can change the meaning entirely.
HSK Study Tips
Although 渊 is not part of the standard HSK levels, it connects with words related to water (水) and depth (深), which are more common. Focus on the context in which you can use 渊 to describe emotional or intellectual depth, as well as physical depth.
Cultural Note
In Chinese literature and poetry, the concept of depth often symbolizes wisdom and profound thought, reflecting the high value placed on knowledge and introspection in Chinese culture. The term is frequently used in classical texts to convey insights on human nature and philosophy.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse 渊 with 浅 (qiǎn), which means shallow, leading to incorrect usage like '这个河流很渊' (zhège héliú hěn yuān), which should be '这个河流很深' (zhège héliú hěn shēn) to mean 'this river is deep.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 渊
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Grammar Patterns of 渊
渊 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 4 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 4
Complete the Sentence
德国人担心他们的经济会滑入深____。
Germans worry that their economy is going down the plughole.
Example Sentences for 渊 (5)
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1
德国人担心他们的经济会滑入深渊。
dé guó rén dān xīn tā mén de jīng jì huì huá rù shēn yuān。
Germans worry that their economy is going down the plughole.
2
泰勒知识渊博，而且并不把历史太当回事。
tài lè zhī shí yuān bó， ， ér qiě bìng bù bǎ lì shǐ tài dāng huí。
Taylor combined great knowledge with an irreverent attitude to history.
3
条条道路都通向无底深渊.
tiáo tiáo dào lù dū tōng xiàng wú dǐ shēn yuān.
All roads led to the abyss.
4
在这群过分自信, 学识渊博, 伶牙俐齿的人中间, 她总仿佛觉得自己过于懒散,笨头笨脑的.
zài zhè qún guò fēn zì xìn, , xué shí yuān, bó , líng yá lì chǐ de rén, zhōng jiān , tā zǒng fǎng fó jué dé zì jǐ guò, yú lǎn sàn , bèn.
Among assertive, learned, or eloquent people, she seemed to feel her dowdiness and insufficiency.
5
这只狮子是个丑怪的斯芬克斯,跟他们一样迷失在这黑暗的深渊里.
zhè zhī shī zǐ shì gè chǒu guài de sī fēn kè sī, , gēn tā mén yī yàng mí shī zài zhè hēi àn de shēn yuān.
The lion was a monster sphinx which was astray like them in that gulf of darkness.
Cultural Notes for 渊
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese literature and poetry, the concept of depth often symbolizes wisdom and profound thought, reflecting the high value placed on knowledge and introspection in Chinese culture. The term is frequently used in classical texts to convey insights on human nature and philosophy.
Word Family of 渊
Words Containing This Character17
深渊abyss深淵
渊源yuānyuánorigin淵源
渊博erudite淵博
渊yuāndeep淵
李渊Li Yuan, personal name of first Tang emperor Gaozu 唐高祖[TángGāozǔ] (566-635), reigned 618-626李淵
陶渊明Tao Yuanming (c. 365-427), Jin dynasty writer and poet陶淵明
刘渊Liu Yuan, warlord at the end of the Western Jin dynasty 西晋, founder of Cheng Han of the Sixteen Kingdoms 成漢|成汉 (304-347)劉淵
九渊abyss九淵
临渊羡鱼one should take practical steps to achieve one's aim臨淵羨魚
颜渊Yan Yuan (521-481 BC), disciple of Confucius 孔夫子[Kǒngfūzǐ], also known as 顏回|颜回[YánHuí]顏淵
天渊之别a complete contrast天淵之別
渊薮lair淵藪
小渊Obuchi (Japanese surname)小淵
小渊惠三Obuchi Keizo (1937-2000), Japanese politician, prime minister 1998-2000小淵惠三
鼻渊nasosinusitis鼻淵
天渊poles apart天淵
洪渊vast and profound洪淵
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 深渊 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 渊
You can say '他对历史有很深的渊' (tā duì lìshǐ yǒu hěn shēn de yuān), meaning 'He has a profound depth of knowledge about history.'
No, while 渊 often refers to deep water, it can also describe profound concepts or emotions.
渊 specifically refers to deep water or profound depth, while 深 can describe depth in various contexts, including abstract concepts.
