缘分 (yuán fèn) — predestined relationship or connection; fate th…

Definition

缘分 names the fated connection between people — it always implies a relationship, never abstract fate itself. Use 命运 for fate or destiny in general.

noun

predestined relationship or connectionfate that binds people together

缘分，。
Wǒ men zhī jiān hěn yǒu yuán fèn, yòu jiàn miàn le.
We have a strong connection — here we meet again.
缘分。
Tā men néng zài yì qǐ shì yīn wèi yuán fèn.
They can be together because of fate.
缘分。
Rèn shi nǐ shì yì zhǒng yuán fèn.
Meeting you is a kind of destiny.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

缘 (fate) and 分 (lot) combine to mean a destined connection between people.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 緣; 缘 is its simplified writing.

糹彖緣

Meaning part形符xíngfú

糹Written in full as糸mì

Sound part声符shēngfú

彖

彖tuàn緣⁰yuán

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 緣 puts 糸 (silk) beside 彖, which gives the sound; the simplified 缘 is a later abbreviation.

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

八刀分

分 pairs 八 (to separate) with 刀 (knife), showing something cut apart with a knife.

Appears in