淵 (yuān) - Abyss, deep pool & profound, deep knowledge

淵Tone 1

yuān ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

喻悦

淵 · yuān

Abyss, deep pool;

profound, deep knowledge;

origin or source of something.

Abyss, deep poolprofound, deep knowledgeorigin or source of something.

Usage highlights

Deep abyssProfound knowledgeOrigin and sourceDeep poolProfound learningDeep and quiet

Synonyms

  • 深— deep (in physical or abstract sense)
  • 博— extensive, erudite (in knowledge context)

Antonyms

  • 浅— shallow, superficial
  • 浮— floating, superficial

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The philosopher had profound knowledge (渊博的知识).
  • They stood at the edge of the deep abyss (深渊).
  • This theory has its origins in ancient thought (渊源于 ancient thought).
  • He possesses deep wisdom (渊智).

Collocations

  • Deep abyss(深渊)
  • Profound knowledge(渊博)
  • Origin and source(渊源)
  • Deep pool(渊潭)
  • Profound learning(渊学)
  • Deep and quiet(渊静)

Idioms

  • As deep as an abyss(如临深渊)
  • Profound learning and great virtue(渊渟岳峙)
  • Accumulating virtue to become profound(积善成渊)
  • The source is distant and the flow is long(渊远流长)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Daoist philosophy, 'yuan' represents the primordial, undifferentiated state from which all things emerge.
  • Confucian tradition uses 'yuan' to describe deep, accumulated wisdom and virtue cultivated over time.
  • The character appears in classical texts like the Zhuangzi to describe the mysterious depth of the Dao.

FAQ