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泉 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
泉
quán
spring (small stream)
HSK 5, ns, 9 strokes, radical 水, rank #9112, Hard
泉
quán
mouth of a spring
HSK 5, ns, 9 strokes, radical 水, rank #9112, Hard
泉
quán
coin (archaic)
HSK 5, ns, 9 strokes, radical 水, rank #9112, Hard
泉
quán
spring, fountain; wealth, money
HSK 5, ns, 9 strokes, radical 水, rank #9112, Hard
quán(quan2)quan T2
1spring (small stream)
2mouth of a spring
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March 24, 2026
泉quán(quan2)
泉 (quán) refers to a spring or a small stream of water that naturally flows from the ground. It can also denote the source of wealth or money, often used in contexts discussing resources or financial matters. The character has a serene connotation tied to nature and abundance.
Strokes9Radical水Frequency#9112DifficultyHard
Cultural note
In Chinese culture, springs are often associated with purity and rejuvenation, commonly depicted in poetry and art. Springs are also significant in traditional Chinese medicine, believed to have healing properties.
Memory tip
Imagine a 'spring' of water bubbling up from the earth, creating a beautiful fountain. The character 泉 has a water radical (氵) on the left, indicating its connection to water, and the right part resembles a mouth, suggesting the 'mouth of the spring.' Visualize a 'quaint' (quán sounds like 'quaint') scene at a refreshing spring to help remember its meaning.
Meanings of 泉
quán(quan2)
1spring (small stream)
2mouth of a spring
Exercise 1 of 2
By ear
Play it, then pick what 泉 means.
About 泉
泉Simplified
9Strokes
水Radical
地名míngcíplace name (p.n.)Part of Speech
#9112Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRB2
Podcast: 泉
Podcast: 泉
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AI study notes for 泉
Quick Contrast
泉 (quán) vs 源 (yuán) — use 泉 when referring specifically to a natural spring of water, while 源 denotes a broader source or origin.
Usage Notes
It's important to use 泉 in appropriate contexts related to water or financial prosperity. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you remember it specifically refers to springs and wealth. Its usage is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
HSK Study Tips
泉 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, but it connects well with other water-related words like 水 (shuǐ - water) and 河 (hé - river). Students should focus on recognizing its components and usage in phrases related to nature and finance to deepen their understanding.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 泉 with the character 鱼 (yú - fish), as they have similar sounds. Remember that 泉 relates to water sources, not seafood. Another mistake is using it in contexts unrelated to water or wealth, such as using it for generic 'water.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 泉
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泉 (quán) refers to a spring or a small stream of water that naturally flows from the ground. It can also denote the source of wealth or money, often used in contexts discussing resources or financial matters. The character has a serene connotation tied to nature and abundance.
When to use 泉
It's important to use 泉 in appropriate contexts related to water or financial prosperity. A common mistake is to confuse it with similar-sounding characters; ensure you remember it specifically refers to springs and wealth. Its usage is generally neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
泉 or something close to it
泉 (quán) vs 源 (yuán) — use 泉 when referring specifically to a natural spring of water, while 源 denotes a broader source or origin.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 泉 with the character 鱼 (yú - fish), as they have similar sounds. Remember that 泉 relates to water sources, not seafood. Another mistake is using it in contexts unrelated to water or wealth, such as using it for generic 'water.'
Write 泉
泉
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Practice writing 泉 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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Grammar patterns of 泉
泉 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
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
北边是班亚斯德桑隆温____。
To the north are the hot springs of Banyas de Sant Loan.
Example sentences for 泉 (10)
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1
北边是班亚斯德桑隆温泉。
běibiān shì bān yà Sī dé Sāng lōng wēnquán。
To the north are the hot springs of Banyas de Sant Loan.
2
请给我来杯矿泉水。
qǐng gěi wǒ lái bēi kuàngquánshuǐ。
A glass of mineral water, please.
3
流入湖中的泉水和河水携带了溶于水的硝酸盐和磷酸盐。
liúrù hú zhōng de quán shuǐ hé hé shuǐ xiédài le róng yú shuǐ de xiāo suān yán hé lín suān yán。
Springs and rivers that drain into lakes carry dissolved nitrates and phosphates.
4
我们漫步经过泉水叮咚的喷泉和芬芳四溢的花园。
wǒmen màn bù jīngguò quán shuǐ dīng dōng de pēnquán hé fēnfāng sì yì de huāyuán。
We strolled past tinkling fountains and perfumed gardens.
And , alas, our spring is not here to allay your thirst.
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Cultural Notes for 泉
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
While springs are celebrated in many cultures as sources of life and beauty, in Western contexts, the idea of a 'spring' often evokes recreational areas or parks, whereas in Chinese culture, they hold deeper symbolic meanings related to health and prosperity.
Word Family of 泉
Compounds14
腺xiàngland
灥xún
瑔quán
厡yuán
楾quán
湶quán
瀪fán
線xiànline, thread, wire; clue, trail
缐xiàn
葲quán
闎quán
騡quán
鰁quán
鳈quán
Words containing this character20
泉quáncoin (archaic)
温泉wēnquánspa溫泉
喷泉pēnquánfountain噴泉
矿泉水kuàngquánshuǐmineral spring water礦泉水
小泉xiǎoquánKoizumi (name)
源泉yuánquánfountainhead
泉州quánzhōuQuanzhou prefecture level city in Fujian
泉水quánshuǐspring water
黄泉huángquánthe Yellow Springs黃泉
泉州市quánzhōushìQuanzhou prefecture level city in Fujian
小泉纯一郎xiǎoquánchúnyìlángKOIZUMI Jun'ichirō (1942-), Japanese LDP politician, prime minister 2001-2006小泉純一郎
矿泉kuàngquánmineral spring礦泉
清泉qīngquánclear spring
龙泉lóngquánLongquanyi district of Chengdu city 成都市[Chéngdūshì], Sichuan龍泉
酒泉jiǔquánJiuquan prefecture-level city in Gansu
涌泉yǒngquángushing spring湧泉
泉源quányuánspringhead
甘泉gānquánGanquan county in Yan'an 延安[Yán'ān], Shaanxi
阳泉yángquánYangquan prefecture level city in Shanxi 山西陽泉
泉涌quányǒngto gush泉湧
Exercise 1 of 4
Characters with 泉
What does 腺 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 泉
泉 (quán) specifically refers to a spring or source of water, while 水 (shuǐ) simply means 'water'. Understanding this distinction can help learners use these terms accurately in context.
Common phrases that include 泉 (quán) are '泉水' (spring water) and '泉眼' (spring eye). These phrases highlight the natural aspect of springs and their significance in both geography and culture.
You can use 泉 (quán) in sentences like '这个泉水很清澈' (This spring water is very clear). It often describes natural water sources and can be combined with other words to indicate specific types of springs or water bodies.
泉 (quán) means 'spring' or 'small stream' in Chinese. It can also refer to the source or mouth of a spring, and in archaic contexts, it can mean 'coin'. This character is commonly used in phrases related to water sources.
In financial discussions, 泉 can symbolize a source of wealth or resources, often used metaphorically.
While 泉 may not be a daily vocabulary word, it appears in discussions about nature or when talking about wealth.
泉 is pronounced as 'quán,' with a rising tone.
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