The head or top of a person; the source, origin, or beginning.
First, primary, basic, or chief; the Chinese yuan, a unit of money. Two strokes (二) above a person (儿) mark the top or head, where things start.
元
Common Usage & Traps
- 十元 — ten yuan
- 一百元 — one hundred yuan
- 美元 — US dollar
- 元旦 — New Year's Day
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元人民币人民币In everyday speech, '元' already means the Chinese yuan; adding '人民币' is redundant and unnatural in simple contexts.
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一元钱一元While not strictly wrong, '一元钱' is often redundant because '元' already implies money; in natural speech, '一元' is preferred.
What is the difference between 元 and 园?
元 means 'yuan' (currency) or 'first'; 园 means 'garden' or 'park'.
元 and 园 look similar but have different meanings and radicals. 元 has no radical and is used for money or the beginning. 园 has the enclosure radical 囗 and refers to a garden or park.
| Dimension | 元 | 园 |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | yuan (currency); first; primary | garden; park |
| Radical | none (or 儿) | 囗 (enclosure) |
| Common words | 十元, 元旦 | 公园, 花园 |
Can 元 be used alone to mean 'yuan'?
Yes, 元 can stand alone as a noun meaning 'yuan'.
Unlike some bound characters, 元 can be used independently in spoken and written Chinese to refer to the currency unit. For example, '五元' means 'five yuan'.
| Dimension | Natural | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Usage | 五元 (five yuan) | 五元人民币 (redundant) |
| Context | Everyday prices | Formal documents (where 人民币 may be specified) |
Appears in Stories 2 stories
Discover how a simple letter from a cookie seller led to an unexpected friendship with a famous scholar. This heartwarming story explores kindness and connection across social divides.
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小人物名叫 元真 。
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如有我可以帮你小忙的事，如找你自己找不着的书之类，我一定很愿意做，”从此， 元真 便成了博士胡之适的“我的朋友”了。
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一天，胡之适邀请 元真 到他研究院的办公室去做客。
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元真 把带来的一个小包打开，里面是十块饼干，黄黄的，有着新烤出来的奶油的香味。
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元真 告诉胡之适说，他的鼻子里也长了一个差不多的东西。
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胡之适一听他说，便立即给一位做院长的朋友写了封信，说：这是我的朋友 元真 。
This playful poem helps you count and practice vocabulary about clothes, students, and pets. Enjoy the rhythm while learning new words.
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卖了六只小狗，四百零九 元 钱。
Questions & Discussion 0 questions
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