yuan

noun

yu·​an ˈyü-ən  yü-ˈän 

plural yuan

1

the basic monetary unit of the People's Republic of China see Money Table compare renminbi

2

: the dollar of the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Examples of yuan in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Last month, China unveiled a five-year stimulus package totaling 10 trillion yuan to tackle local government debt problems, while indicating more economic support would follow next year. —Anniek Bao, CNBC, 11 Dec. 2024

During the last trade war, the country allowed the yuan to depreciate against the U.S. dollar, effectively making Chinese exports to the U.S. cheaper. —Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 10 Dec. 2024

These illicit payments totaled over 11 million yuan (approximately $1.5 million). —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Xiaomi cofounder and chairman Lei Jun pledged 1.3 billion yuan ($182 million) to Wuhan University, having received a scholarship himself while a student there. —Rana Wehbe Watson, Forbes, 9 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Chinese (Beijing) yuán

First Known Use

1917, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

yuan

noun

yu·​an ˈyü-ən  yu̇-ˈän 

plural yuan

1

: the basic unit of money in China

2

: a coin or bill worth one yuan

Geographical Definition

Yuan

geographical name

Yu·​an ˈywen 

ˈywän

1

river 500 miles (805 kilometers) long in southeast central China flowing from Guizhou northeast to northeastern Hunan

2

see red sense 4