Chinese word

缘分

Pronunciation

Pinyinyuán fèn

Meaning

  • nounfate

Example

我们有缘分才会认识。wǒ men yǒu yuán fèn cái huì rèn shí

We only met because it was fate.

Illustration for 缘分 (fate)

More examples

我们在旅行中结下了缘分。wǒ men zài lǚ xíng zhōng jié xià le yuán fèn

We formed a bond while traveling.

Core concept

An unseen link of circumstance that brings two people together and lets a relationship form.

Common phrases

  • 有缘分yǒu yuán fèn

    be fated to meet

  • 结下缘分jié xià yuán fèn

    form a bond

Similar words

关系guān xì: A connection or relationship between people, things, or groups.
命运mìng yùn: The power believed to decide how a person's life or events will unfold.
姻缘yīn yuán: A marriage match believed to be decided by fate.

Definition in Chinese

指两个人由于某种机遇或命运而相识、相处的那种看不见的联系。zhǐ liǎng gè rén yóu yú móu zhǒng jī yù huò mìng yùn ér xiāng shí xiāng chǔ de nà zhǒng kàn bú jiàn de lián xì

Word origin

缘分 (yuánfēn, "a fated connection") combines 缘 (yuán, "a connecting circumstance") with 分 (fēn, "an allotted share"), presenting a meeting as a connection allotted by circumstances.

Usage tips

  • English speakers often hear "fate" as fixed destiny, while this everyday noun can describe a relationship that comes together by circumstance, including friendship as well as romance.

Other meanings

  • chancenoun

Word lists with this word