Meaning

cause; origin; root cause; reason

Pronunciation

Tone marks: ?yuán yin
Tone numbers: yuan2 yin1

Chinese Characters

Traditional: ??
Simplified: ??

First Character: ? (yuán) – former; original; primary; raw; level; cause; source
Second Character: ? (yin) – cause; reason; because

Examples of Yuán Yin

?Zhè qi yìwài fasheng de yuányin bù míng.
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The cause of the accident is not clear.

?Zàochéng xinzàngbìng de yuányin you henduo.
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There are many things which can cause heart disease.