鼋 (yuán) - A large species of soft-shelled turtle, specifically the & often used in classical Chinese literature and mythology.

鼋Tone 2

yuán ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

喻悦

鼋 · yuán

A large species of soft-shelled turtle, specifically the Asian giant softshell turtle (Pelochelys cantorii);

often used in classical Chinese literature and mythology.

A large species of soft-shelled turtle, specifically theoften used in classical Chinese literature and mythology.

Usage highlights

Giant softshell turtleYuan turtleYuan and alligatorTurtle and yuanYuan headYuan ferry

Synonyms

  • 鳖— softshell turtle (general term)
  • 鼍— Chinese alligator (often paired with yuan)

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The giant softshell turtle (鼋) is an endangered freshwater species.
  • In ancient texts, the creature was called yuan (鼋).
  • The mythological beast carried a stone tablet on its back like a yuan (鼋).
  • A bronze vessel shaped like a softshell turtle was called a yuan (鼋).

Collocations

  • Giant softshell turtle(鼋)
  • Yuan turtle(鼋鼍)
  • Yuan and alligator(鼋鼍)
  • Turtle and yuan(龟鼋)
  • Yuan head(鼋头)
  • Yuan ferry(鼋渡)

Idioms

  • The turtle and the yuan are of the same family(龟鼋同族)
  • More treacherous than a yuan(奸逾鼋鼍)
  • Yuan head islet(鼋头渚 - famous scenic spot in Wuxi)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese mythology, the yuan is one of the nine sons of the dragon, often depicted carrying stone tablets.
  • The yuan appears in classical texts like Zhuangzi and Records of the Grand Historian as a mythical creature.
  • Yuantouzhu (鼋头渚) in Wuxi is a famous scenic area named for its resemblance to a yuan's head protruding into Taihu Lake.
  • The character appears in the name of the endangered Yangtze giant softshell turtle (斑鼋).

FAQ