noun
yuan
yoo-AN
noun
1
The basic unit of currency in China.
"The meal cost about forty yuan."
proper noun
1
The imperial dynasty that ruled China from 1279 to 1368, founded by the Mongols.
"The Yuan dynasty was established by Kublai Khan."
How to Use Yuan
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishChina's currency unit, or the Mongol dynasty that once ruled China.
UK vs US
In everyday English, "yuan" and "RMB" (renminbi) are often used loosely to mean the same thing, though technically renminbi is the currency's name and yuan is its basic unit.
Word Forms
yuan plural, yuans plural, yuan plural, yuans plural
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The meal cost about forty _____.
Etymology
From Mandarin yuán, originally meaning "round," referring to a round coin — the same root behind the Japanese yen and Korean won.