萬 (wàn) - Ten thousand & a great number

萬Tone 4

wàn ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

萬 · wàn

Ten thousand;

a great number;

myriad;

everything;

surname.

Ten thousanda great numbermyriad

Usage highlights

Ten thousandMyriadEverythingTen thousand yearsAbsolutely sureAll directions

Synonyms

  • 亿— hundred million (larger number)
  • 多— many (general term for quantity)

Antonyms

  • 一— one (smallest number)
  • 少— few (opposite of many)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • There are ten thousand people (一万人).
  • I wish you a long life of ten thousand years (万岁).
  • This is a myriad of changes (万变).
  • He is named Wan (姓万).

Collocations

  • Ten thousand(一万)
  • Myriad(万物)
  • Everything(万事)
  • Ten thousand years(万岁)
  • Absolutely sure(万无一失)
  • All directions(万方)

Idioms

  • Countless changes(千变万化)
  • Everything is ready(万事俱备)
  • Through all eternity(万古长存)
  • A household name(万家灯火)
  • Myriad stars(万点星辰)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, '万' symbolizes abundance, completeness, and infinity, often used in auspicious phrases.
  • Historically used in imperial contexts, e.g., '万岁' (wànsuì) meaning 'long live the emperor'.
  • Commonly found in names and blessings to express wishes for prosperity and longevity.

FAQ