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March 24, 2026
来源(來源)láiyuán(lai2yuan2)
The term '来源' refers to the source or origin of something, particularly in contexts involving information or data. It is commonly used in academic, journalistic, and everyday conversations to indicate where information comes from or how it originated.
Frequency#3511DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the credibility of information sources is highly valued, especially in academic and media contexts. Citing reliable sources ('来源') is crucial for maintaining trust and authority.
Memory Tip
Imagine a river (源) flowing from a mountain (来). The river represents the source of information, and the mountain represents its origin. Together, '来源' can remind you of where knowledge flows from.
Meanings of 来源
láiyuán(lai2yuan2)
1source (of information etc)
2origin
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 来源
来源Simplified
來源Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#3511Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 来源
Podcast: 来源
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AI Study Notes for 来源
Quick Contrast
来源 (source) vs 根源 (root cause) — use 来源 for general sources of information, while 根源 emphasizes the fundamental cause behind an issue.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a river (源) flowing from a mountain (来). The river represents the source of information, and the mountain represents its origin. Together, '来源' can remind you of where knowledge flows from.
Usage Notes
Be cautious about using '来源' in informal contexts, as it is more suitable for formal discussions. Common collocations include '信息来源' (source of information) and '资金来源' (source of funds). Remember that it requires the second tone for both characters.
HSK Study Tips
'来源' is a Level 6 HSK word, connecting with other HSK 6 terms related to data and analysis, such as '数据' (data) and '分析' (analysis). Focus on understanding its usage in research and reporting contexts.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the credibility of information sources is highly valued, especially in academic and media contexts. Citing reliable sources ('来源') is crucial for maintaining trust and authority.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '来源' with '理由' (reason). For example, saying '来源是我喜欢' (the source is I like) is incorrect; it should be '理由是我喜欢' (the reason is I like).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 来源
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Grammar Patterns of 来源
来源 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
There are two principal sources of commercial sucrose - sugar cane and sugar beets.
Cultural Notes for 来源
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the credibility of information sources is highly valued, especially in academic and media contexts. Citing reliable sources ('来源') is crucial for maintaining trust and authority.
Frequently Asked Questions about 来源
'来源' refers to the source or origin of information, while '来源地' specifically indicates the physical location or place of that source.
Typically, '来源' is used for more objective sources like data or information rather than subjective personal experiences.
'来源' is more commonly used in formal contexts, such as academic discussions or journalism, rather than in casual conversation.
