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缘 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
缘yuáncausen, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánreasonn, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánkarman, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánfaten, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánpredestined affinityn, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánmarginn, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánhemn, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánedgen, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
缘yuánalongn, 12 strokes, radical 纟, rank #8076, Hard
yuán(yuan2) T2
  1. 1cause
  2. 2reason
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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#8076DifficultyHard
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

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 缘

缘Simplified
緣Traditional
12Strokes
纟Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8076Frequency Rank

Podcast: 缘

JasonAmy

Podcast: 缘

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

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.

Memory Mnemonic

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.

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.

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.

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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Etymology of 缘

Formation Typepictophonetic
六书 ClassificationPhono-semantic (形声字)~80-90% of characters
Memory Hint

thread

Semantic (meaning)纟
+
Phonetic (sound)彖
Learn more about Phono-semantic (形声字) characters
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 缘?

Decomposition of 缘

IDS Structure⿰纟彖
缘Full Character
=
纟si1
left
彖tuan4
right
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 缘?

Write 缘

缘

Practice writing 缘 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

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

Complete the Sentence

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

Spot the Difference

Which character means "cause"?

or

Example Sentences for 缘 (10)

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 biān yuán hóng zhǒng fā yán de zhèng zhuàng。

This is an irritation and inflammation of the edge of the eyelid.
2
一种新的绝缘层压材料刚由阿特沃特父子公司设计推出。

yī zhǒng xīn de jué yuán céng yā cái liào gāng yóu ā tè wò tè fù zǐ gōng sī shè jì tuī chū。

A new insulating laminate has just been designed by Attwater and Sons.
3
我和他有过几面之缘，但从未说过话。

wǒ hé tā yǒu guò jī miàn zhī yuán， ， dàn cóng wèi shuō guò。

I knew him by sight but had never spoken with him.
4
库珀擅长交际，人缘很好。

kù pò shàn cháng jiāo jì， ， rén yuán hěn。

Cooper was a good mixer, he was popular.
5
他说警卫会无缘无故殴打他们。

tā shuō jǐng wèi huì wú yuán wú gù ōu dǎ tā mén。

The guards, he said, would punch them for no reason.
6
他似乎只是出于职业缘故而喜欢她。

tā sì hū zhī shì chū yú zhí yè yuán gù ér xǐ huān tā。

He seemed fond of her in a strictly professional way.
7
戴维小心翼翼地往前挪，从边缘向下张望。

dài wéi xiǎo xīn yì yì dì wǎng qián nuó， ， cóng biān yuán xiàng xià zhāng。

David moved cautiously forward and looked over the edge.
8
另一高值中心在高原东边缘上.

lìng yī gāo zhí zhōng xīn zài gāo yuán dōng biān yuán shàng.

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。

yuǎn chǔ xiá gǔ de xī yuán， ， yī zhī cóng lín láng háo jiào le liǎng。

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 jiǎn chá yī xià wǒ wū zǐ lǐ diàn xiàn de jué yuán qíng kuàng.

Please examine the insulation of the electric wires in my house.

Cultural Notes for 缘

🏮Cultural insight

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.

🌏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yuan2citrus
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no cause, no reason (idiom); completely uncalled for無緣無故
无缘wúyuánno chance無緣
血缘xuèyuánbloodline血緣
人缘relations with other people人緣
缘由reason緣由
有缘related有緣
绝缘juéyuánto be cut off from絕緣
地缘geographic situation地緣
机缘chance機緣
缘于owing to緣於
姻缘a marriage predestined by fate姻緣
投缘to hit it off投緣
因缘chance因緣
结缘to form ties結緣
边缘化to marginalize邊緣化
情缘predestined love情緣
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

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.