How to Write 元 (yuán)
Detailed Mastery Guide for 元
The character 元 (Traditional: 元) is a fundamental part of the Chinese language, representing "Yuan currency". In our Level 2 curriculum, we focus on the 4-step stroke sequence to ensure your handwriting is both fast and accurate.
Writing & Recognition
Proper stroke order is essential for character recognition and legibility. By following the animation above, you can see how the character is built from top to bottom and left to right. This character is often categorized under Money & Adjectives, making it a versatile addition to your vocabulary.
Key Vocabulary
Radical Breakdown
Breaking it down: The character 元 is built on the radical Er (No. 10). Understanding radicals like this is a proven technique for accelerating vocabulary acquisition.
Etymology & Origins
Pictographic of a person with an emphasized head, representing the concept of 'head' or 'first'.
Example Sentence
Simplified: 这件商品价值一百元。
Zhè jiàn shāngpǐn jiàzhí yībǎi yuán.
Traditional: 這件商品價值一百元。
Ze2 gin6 soeng1 ban2 gaa3 zik6 jat1 baak3 jyun4.
"This item is worth one hundred yuan."
Dialect Pronunciation
In Mandarin, this character is pronounced as yuán. If you are learning Cantonese, the pronunciation is jyun4. Use the audio buttons to hear the subtle tonal differences between the two major Chinese dialects.
Practice & Retention
To move this character from short-term to long-term memory, we recommend using our free practice sheet generator. Writing the character 10-15 times while following the correct sequence is a proven method for mastery.
Quick Self-Check
What is the primary meaning of '元'?
Other Characters in Level 2 Unit 5
Hope this tool helps your Chinese learning journey!
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