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元 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
元yuánunit of money (in PRC: Chinese yuan, in USA: dollar, etc)HSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánprimaryHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánfirstHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánfirst; dollar; origin; headHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánoriginalHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánfundamentalHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánconstituentHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánpartHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánera (of a reign)HSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuán(math.) argumentHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánvariableHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuán(Tw) (geology) eonHSK 1, unknown, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánthe Yuan or Mongol dynasty (1279-1368)HSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
元yuánsurname YuanHSK 1, m, 4 strokes, radical 儿, rank #1434, Easy
yuán(Yuan2) T2
  1. 1unit of money (in PRC: Chinese yuan, in USA: dollar, etc)
  2. 2primary
Also a Chinese surname, Yuan — see the Surname Dictionary
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

元yuán(Yuan2)

The character 元 (yuán) has several meanings, including a unit of currency in China, equivalent to the dollar in the U.S. It can also refer to the Yuan dynasty, which was established by the Mongols, and signifies 'first' or 'primary' in various contexts. It is commonly used in financial transactions and historical discussions.

Strokes4Radical儿Frequency#1434DifficultyEasy
Cultural Note

The Yuan dynasty is significant in Chinese history as it marked the Mongol Empire's rule over China, influencing culture, trade, and social structures. Today, the term 元 remains central in discussions about Chinese economy and history.

Memory Tip

Imagine a golden coin (元) representing the first unit of money everyone wants. The top part looks like a roof, suggesting it’s the 'head' of currency, and the bottom part resembles a base, grounding its primary nature.

Meanings of 元

yuán(Yuan2)
1unit of money (in PRC: Chinese yuan, in USA: dollar, etc)
2primary
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 元

元Simplified
4Strokes
儿Radical
数词shùcínumeral (num.)Part of Speech
#1434Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L3HSK 3.0L1ElementaryTOCFLL1HSKKL1CEFRA1

Podcast: 元

JasonAmy

Podcast: 元

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 元

Quick Contrast

元 (yuán) vs 钱 (qián) — use 元 for specific currency units, while 钱 is a more general term for money.

Usage Notes

In financial contexts, remember that 元 is often written as RMB (Renminbi) or simply ¥. Be cautious not to confuse it with other monetary units from different countries. The tone can be tricky; ensure you pronounce it with the second tone (rising) to avoid misunderstandings.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK 3 level word, 元 connects with other words related to money and numbers, such as 钱 (qián - money) and 价 (jià - price). Focus on using it in sentences related to pricing and currency exchanges.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 元 with the character for 'money' (钱). For example, saying '我有十钱' (I have ten money) instead of '我有十元' (I have ten yuan) is incorrect.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 元

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Etymology of 元

Formation TypePictographic 象形
六书 ClassificationPictograph (象形字)~4% of characters
Explanation

Pictograph of a person with two lines added at the head area, representing the meaning the meaning "head" or "first".

Memory Hint

A man 儿 with two lines emphasizing their head 二

Learn more about Pictograph (象形字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 元

Pictograph of a person with two lines added at the head area, representing the meaning the meaning "head" or "first".

  1. 1The giveawayA man 儿 with two lines emphasizing their head 二
  2. 2On the record aspictographic — someone drew the thing itself.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 元? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 元?

Decomposition of 元

IDS Structure⿱二儿
元Full Character
=
二er4
top
儿er2
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 元?

How to say unit of money (in PRC: Chinese yuan, in USA: dollar, etc) in Chinese

“unit of money (in PRC: Chinese yuan, in USA: dollar, etc)” in Chinese is元yuán

The character 元 (yuán) has several meanings, including a unit of currency in China, equivalent to the dollar in the U.S. It can also refer to the Yuan dynasty, which was established by the Mongols, and signifies 'first' or 'primary' in various contexts. It is commonly used in financial transactions and historical discussions.

When to use 元

In financial contexts, remember that 元 is often written as RMB (Renminbi) or simply ¥. Be cautious not to confuse it with other monetary units from different countries. The tone can be tricky; ensure you pronounce it with the second tone (rising) to avoid misunderstandings.

元 or something close to it

元 (yuán) vs 钱 (qián) — use 元 for specific currency units, while 钱 is a more general term for money.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 元 with the character for 'money' (钱). For example, saying '我有十钱' (I have ten money) instead of '我有十元' (I have ten yuan) is incorrect.

Write 元

元

Practice writing 元 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 元

元 functions as a number. It almost always combines with a measure word before a noun (三个人, 五本书). Standalone numbers are rare outside of math or counting. It carries 14 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.

Related grammar lessons3
Exercise 1 of 4

Complete the Sentence

大致的估计费用为每月9,000万美____。

Ballpark estimates indicate a price tag of $90 million a month.

Common Confusions with 元

元vs圆
yuán

Similar shape but different meaning.

元vs源
yuán

Same pronunciation but different meaning.

Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "unit of money (in PRC: Chinese yuan, in USA: dollar, etc)"?

or

Usage Notes for 元

Confusion with '员'Common Error

Learners often confuse '元' (yuán) with '员' (yuán) due to similar pronunciation. Remember that '元' refers to 'original' or 'primary,' while '员' means 'member' or 'staff.'

1

他是公司的一名员工。

He is a member of the company.

Example Sentences for 元 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
大致的估计费用为每月9,000万美元。

dà zhì de gū jì fèi yòng wéi měi yuè9,000 9,000 wàn měi。

Ballpark estimates indicate a price tag of $90 million a month.
2
元旦是全英国的公众假日。

yuán dàn shì quán yīng guó de gōng zhòng jiǎ rì。

New Year's Day is a public holiday throughout Britain.
3
我把1亿美元藏到了一个永远没人会找到的地方。

wǒ bǎ1 1 yì měi yuán cáng dào le yī gè yǒng yuǎn méi rén huì zhǎo dào de dì。

I have $100m hidden away where no one will ever find it.
4
这家航空公司亏损达3,500万美元，而澳航出资帮助其摆脱了困境。

zhè jiā háng kōng gōng sī kuī sǔn dá3,500 3,500 wàn měi， yuán ， ér ào háng chū zī bāng zhù qí bǎi tuō le。

The airline had losses of $35m and was bailed out by Qantas.
5
6月份的出口额上升了1.5%，创下309.1亿美元的历史最高纪录。

6 6 yuè fèn de chū kǒu é shàng shēng1.5%， le 1.5%，309.1 chuàng xià 309.1 yì měi yuán de lì shǐ zuì。

Exports in June rose 5% to a record $91 billion.
6
我破产了，莉薇，而且我欠了几百万美元的债。

wǒ pò chǎn le， ， lì， wēi ， ér qiě wǒ qiàn le jī bǎi wàn měi yuán。

I'm broke, Livy, and I owe a couple of million dollars.
7
美元差一点跌到了最低点。

měi yuán chà yī diǎn diē dào le zuì dī diǎn。

The dollar fell to within a hair's breadth of its all-time low.
8
这枚胸针的历史可以追溯到公元前4世纪。

zhè méi xiōng zhēn de lì shǐ kě yǐ zhuī sù dào gōng yuán qián4 4 shì。

The brooch dates back to the fourth century BC.
9
他们的完整目录售价5美元，第一次订购时可返还这5美元。

tā mén de wán zhěng mù lù shòu jià5 5 měi， yuán ， dì yī cì dìng gòu shí kě fǎn5 huán zhè。

Their full catalogue costs $5, redeemable against a first order.
10
一名前主管挪用了3,400万美元的公司资金。

yī míng qián zhǔ guǎn nuó yòng le3,400 3,400 wàn měi yuán de gōng sī zī。

One former director embezzled $34 million in company funds.

Cultural Notes for 元

💡Did you know?

The Yuan Dynasty was the first foreign-led dynasty in China, established by the Mongols under Kublai Khan. It significantly influenced Chinese culture, trade, and governance.

Word Family of 元

Compounds34
完wan2to finish
玩wan2toy
远yuan3far
园Yuan2surname Yuan
顽wan2mischievous
寇kou4bandit, thief; enemy; to invade
沅Yuan2a river in western Hunan
阮Ruan3ancient musical instrument; surname
芫yan2a poisonous plant; Daphne genkwa
朊ruan3protein
兘
刓
抏
笎
蚖yuan2salamander, newt
邧
髨
魭
鼋yuan2large turtle, sea turtle
冦
坃
坖
妧
岏
忨
杬
盶
翫
衏
貦
酛
鈨
頑wan2stubborn, recalcitrant, obstinate
黿yuan2large turtle, sea turtle
Words Containing This Character20
元yuánfirst
美元měiyuánUS dollar
元素yuánsùelement
欧元euro (currency)歐元
元首yuánshǒuhead of state
单元dānyuánelement單元
日元also written 日圓|日圆
元老yuánlǎoelder
元旦yuándànNew Year's Day
公元gōngyuánCE (Common Era)
多元化duōyuánhuàdiversification
公元前BC (before Christ)
韩元Won (Korean currency)韓元
港元Hong Kong dollar
元帅marshal (in the army)元帥
元件element
元凶chief offender
微量元素trace element (chemistry)
元气strength元氣
神经元neuron神經元
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 完 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 元

Yes, 元 is still commonly used in modern Chinese. It appears in contexts such as currency, where it represents the basic unit of Chinese money (RMB or Renminbi). Additionally, it is used in phrases and expressions related to foundational concepts.

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