Stroke order, etymology and audio for every word.Start learning
阳 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
Hanzi
Pinyin
English
Tags
阳
yáng
positive (electric.)
HSK 5, nr, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7451, Hard
阳
yáng
sun
HSK 5, nr, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7451, Hard
阳
yáng
male principle (Taoism)
HSK 5, nr, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7451, Hard
阳
yáng
Yang, opposite: 陰
HSK 5, nr, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7451, Hard
阳
yáng
the male principle; bright, sunny; clear, lit, open
HSK 5, nr, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7451, Hard
阳
yáng
Yang, opposite: 陰|阴[yin1] ☯
HSK 5, unknown, 6 strokes, radical 阝, rank #7451, Hard
yáng(yang2)yang T2
1positive (electric.)
2sun
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
阳(陽)yáng(yang2)
阳 (yáng) refers to the positive, bright, and active principle in various contexts, including Taoism where it symbolizes masculinity and light. It is often associated with the sun, representing openness and clarity, in contrast to 阴 (yīn), which represents the negative or passive principle. You will encounter this term frequently in discussions about Taoist philosophy and Chinese cosmology.
Strokes6Radical阝Frequency#7451DifficultyHard
Cultural note
阳 is integral to traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, where balance between 阴 and 阳 is essential for health and harmony. The concept of 阳 also reflects the cultural appreciation for nature and the sun's life-giving properties in daily life.
Memory tip
Imagine a bright sun (阳) shining in the sky, symbolizing the male principle and positivity. The character 阳 has a component that resembles a sun (the top part) and the earth (the bottom), reminding you that it’s about brightness and warmth, much like a sunny day.
Meanings of 阳
yáng(yang2)
1positive (electric.)
2sun
Exercise 1 of 3
By ear
Play it, then pick what 阳 means.
About 阳
阳Simplified
陽Traditional
6Strokes
阝Radical
人名míngcíproper noun (pr.n.)Part of Speech
#7451Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5
Podcast: 阳
Podcast: 阳
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 阳
Quick Contrast
阳 (yáng) vs 光 (guāng) — use 阳 when emphasizing the principle of brightness and activity, while 光 focuses on the physical light emitted.
Usage Notes
阳 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its use in philosophical discussions, where the distinction between 阳 and 阴 is significant. Common collocations include 阳光 (sunlight) and 阳性 (male, positive). Ensure you use the correct tone; the first tone is crucial for clarity.
HSK Study Tips
While 阳 is not listed in the official HSK vocabulary, it connects to other level 3-4 words related to nature and opposites, such as 阴 (yīn). Focus on recognizing it in context, especially in phrases related to light and energy.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 阳 with 阴 due to their oppositional nature. For example, saying '阳性' when you mean '阴性' can lead to misunderstanding; ensure you know the context before using these terms.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 阳
Premium — Locked
Tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 阳, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 阳 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 阳?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 阳 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
The traditional characters 陰 (Yin) and 陽 (Yang) were simplified to 阴 and 阳. In Chinese philosophy, the moon (月) corresponds to Yin (阴) and the sun (日) corresponds to Yang (阳).
阳 (yáng) refers to the positive, bright, and active principle in various contexts, including Taoism where it symbolizes masculinity and light. It is often associated with the sun, representing openness and clarity, in contrast to 阴 (yīn), which represents the negative or passive principle. You will encounter this term frequently in discussions about Taoist philosophy and Chinese cosmology.
When to use 阳
阳 is typically used in both formal and informal contexts, but be cautious with its use in philosophical discussions, where the distinction between 阳 and 阴 is significant. Common collocations include 阳光 (sunlight) and 阳性 (male, positive). Ensure you use the correct tone; the first tone is crucial for clarity.
阳 or something close to it
阳 (yáng) vs 光 (guāng) — use 阳 when emphasizing the principle of brightness and activity, while 光 focuses on the physical light emitted.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 阳 with 阴 due to their oppositional nature. For example, saying '阳性' when you mean '阴性' can lead to misunderstanding; ensure you know the context before using these terms.
Write 阳
阳
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 阳 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 阳
阳 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 6 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.
All colour fades— especially under the impact of direct sunlight.
5
有玻璃门通到这个阳台。
yǒu bōli mén tōng dào zhège yángtái。
There were glass doors leading on to this balcony.
6
有一家诱人的带露天阳台的饭馆。
yǒu yī jiā yòurén de dài lùtiān yángtái de fànguǎn。
There is an inviting restaurant with an outdoor terrace.
7
这是个和煦的早晨，阳光普照。
zhè shì gè hé xù de zǎochen， yángguāng pǔ zhào。
It is a mild morning and the sun is shining.
8
我穿好衣服，走进灿烂的阳光中。
wǒ chuān hǎo yīfu， zǒujìn cànlàn de yángguāng zhōng。
I got dressed and emerged into glorious sunshine.
9
罗德尼尽管非常喜欢与人争辩，却是个阳光、优雅、合群的人。
luō dé ní jǐnguǎn fēicháng xǐhuan yǔ rén zhēngbiàn， quèshì gè yángguāng、 yōuyǎ、 gě qún de rén。
Rodney was a cheerful, elegant and gregarious if rather contentious man.
10
那是晚冬阳光明媚的一天，温度只有零上几度。
nà shì wǎn dōng yángguāng míngmèi de yī tiān， wēndù zhǐyǒu líng shàng jǐ dù。
It's a sunny late winter day, just a few degrees above zero.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 阳?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 阳
💡Did you know?
In Chinese philosophy, 阳 represents masculinity and brightness, while its counterpart, 陰, symbolizes femininity and darkness. Together, they embody the duality of existence, forming a core concept in Taoism.
Word Family of 阳
Words containing this character20
太阳tàiyángsun太陽
阳光yángguāngsunshine陽光
阳yángsun陽
阳性yángxìngpositive陽性
阳台yángtáibalcony陽臺
沈阳shěnyángold names include Fengtian 奉天, Shengjing 盛京 and Mukden瀋陽
太阳能tàiyángnéngsolar energy太陽能
晒太阳shàitàiyángto put sth in the sun (e.g. to dry it)曬太陽
贵阳guìyángGuiyang prefecture-level city and capital of Guizhou province 貴州|贵州[Guìzhōu], short name 筑[Zhù]貴陽
太阳系tàiyángxìsolar system太陽系
夕阳xīyángsunset夕陽
阴阳yīnyángyin and yang陰陽
洛阳luòyángLuoyang prefecture-level city in Henan, an old capital from pre-Han times洛陽
太阳镜tàiyángjìngsunglasses太陽鏡
贵阳市guìyángshìGuiyang prefecture-level city and capital of Guizhou province 貴州|贵州[Guìzhōu]貴陽市
沈阳市shěnyángshìold names include Fengtian 奉天, Shengjing 盛京 and Mukden瀋陽市
朝阳cháoyángChaoyang county in Chaoyang 朝陽|朝阳, Liaoning朝陽
朝阳区cháoyángqūChaoyang inner district of Beijing朝陽區
阳痿yángwěi(med.) impotence陽痿
太阳穴tàiyángxuétemple (on the sides of human head)太陽穴
Exercise 1 of 4
Words with 阳
What does 太阳 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 阳
To differentiate between 阳 (yáng) and 阴 (yīn), focus on their contextual meanings. 阳 is used in contexts that denote brightness, positivity, or masculinity, while 阴 relates to darkness, negativity, or femininity. Understanding these distinctions can help you grasp various metaphors and idioms in Chinese.
The opposite of 阳 (yáng) is 阴 (yīn), which represents the female principle in Taoism and is associated with darkness and negativity. Together, they symbolize the duality that exists in nature and philosophy, embodying concepts of balance. This relationship is fundamental in Chinese culture and thought.
阳 (yáng) can be used to refer to the sun or to symbolize positivity, such as in phrases like '阳光' (yángguāng), meaning 'sunlight.' It can also be used in discussions about Taoism to describe the male principle. Understanding its usage in context can enhance your comprehension of related topics like energy.
阳 (yáng) translates to 'sun' in Chinese and is associated with positive energy in various contexts, including electricity and Taoism. It represents the male principle and is often contrasted with 阴 (yīn), which signifies the female principle. In Taoist philosophy, these concepts are integral to understanding balance and harmony.
You can say '今天阳光明媚' (Today the sun is bright) to describe a sunny day.
The opposite of 阳 is 阴 (yīn), which represents the negative, passive principle.
No, 阳 is used in everyday language, especially when talking about the sun, light, and positive attributes.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 阳?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
