泉 (quán) - Spring — refers to a natural spring of & fountain

泉Tone 2

quán ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

泉 · quán

Spring — refers to a natural spring of water;

fountain;

source;

also used metaphorically for origin or source of something.

Spring — refers to a natural spring offountainsource

Usage highlights

Spring waterHot springFountain penSource of wealthMineral springSpringhead

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • 旱— drought, dry
  • 枯— withered, dried up

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mountain spring water is very clear (泉水).
  • We visited the hot springs resort (温泉).
  • This book is a fountain of knowledge (知识的源泉).
  • The Yellow River originates from springs (黄河源头).

Collocations

  • Spring water(泉水)
  • Hot spring(温泉)
  • Fountain pen(钢笔/自来水笔)
  • Source of wealth(财源)
  • Mineral spring(矿泉)
  • Springhead(泉源)

Idioms

  • The source is clear and the stream is pure(源清流洁)
  • Drink water and think of its source(饮水思源)
  • From the same source(同源)
  • Return to the source(归源)
  • The source is distant and the stream is long(源远流长)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, springs symbolize purity, naturalness, and the origin of life.
  • The character appears in many place names, especially those with natural water sources.
  • In poetry and literature, springs often represent clarity, refreshment, and spiritual purity.
  • The term '九泉' (nine springs) is a classical euphemism for the underworld or afterlife.

FAQ