Chinese word

源泉

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuán quán

Meaning

  • nounsource

Example

幸福的源泉是家人。xìng fú de yuán quán shì jiā rén

The source of happiness is family.

Illustration for 源泉 (source)

More examples

阅读是知识的源泉。yuè dú shì zhī shí de yuán quán

Reading is a source of knowledge.

Core concept

A point where something flows out and from which a larger result begins to grow.

Common phrases

  • 知识的源泉zhī shí de yuán quán

    source of knowledge

  • 灵感的源泉líng gǎn de yuán quán

    source of inspiration

  • 创造力的源泉chuàng zào lì de yuán quán

    source of creativity

Similar words

来源lái yuán: The source or background from which a thing or piece of information comes.
源头yuán tóu: The starting point or direct cause from which an event or process begins.
根源gēn yuán: The fundamental cause or underlying nature of a problem or condition.
起源qǐ yuán: The time or beginning at which a thing, culture, or phenomenon first came into being.

Definition in Chinese

指事物产生或开始的根本出处，常用于表示原因或起源。zhǐ shì wù chǎn shēng huò kāi shǐ de gēn běn chū chǔ cháng yòng yú biǎo shì yuán yīn huò qǐ yuán

Word origin

源 (yuán, "source") + 泉 (quán, "spring") joins the image of water emerging at its first outlet with the broader idea of an underlying beginning.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this noun often sounds more formal and analytical than simpler wording, so it commonly appears in explanations of abstract things such as happiness, strength, or creativity.

Other meanings

  • originnoun
  • rootnoun

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word