Chinese word

起源

Pronunciation

Pinyinqǐ yuán

Meaning

  • nounorigin

Example

这个习俗的起源是什么？zhè ge xí sú de qǐ yuán shì shén me

What is the origin of this custom?

Illustration for 起源 (origin)

More examples

我们需要弄清神话的起源。wǒ men xū yào nòng qīng shén huà de qǐ yuán

We need to find out the origin of mythology.

Core concept

The first point where a thing, practice, or idea begins and from which it develops.

Common phrases

  • 起源故事qǐ yuán gù shì

    origin story

  • 神话的起源shén huà de qǐ yuán

    mythology's origin

  • 生物的起源shēng wù de qǐ yuán

    origin of living things

Similar words

来源lái yuán: The original source or place from which an object, fact, or piece of information comes.
源头yuán tóu: The definite place where a river, flow, or process starts.
起点qí diǎn: The point in time or space where an action or event starts.
起因qǐ yīn: The cause responsible for producing a particular result.

Definition in Chinese

事物开始的根本来源，指最初出现的时间、地点或原因。shì wù kāi shǐ de gēn běn lái yuán zhǐ zuì chū chū xiàn de shí jiān dì diǎn huò yuán yīn

Word origin

起 (qǐ, "begin") + 源 (yuán, "source") joins the idea of starting with the place or cause from which something comes.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this noun has a fairly formal tone and fits discussions of history, customs, science, and ideas better than casual personal stories.

Other meanings

  • birthplacenoun
  • sourcenoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 起源故事qǐ yuán gù shìorigin storynoun
  • 起源研究qǐ yuán yán jiūorigin researchnoun

Word lists with this word