Meaning

    cause; origin; root cause; reason

Pronunciation

    Tone marks: ► yuán yīn
    Tone numbers: yuan2 yin1

Chinese Characters

    Traditional: 原因
    Simplified: 原因

    First Character: 原 (yuán) – former; original; primary; raw; level; cause; source
    Second Character: 因 (yīn) – cause; reason; because

Examples of Yuán Yīn
 
    ► Zhè qǐ yìwài fāshēng de yuányīn bù míng.
    這起意外發生的原因不明｡
    这起意外发生的原因不明｡
    The cause of the accident is not clear.

    ► Zàochéng xīnzàngbìng de yuányīn yǒu hěnduō.
    造成心臟病的原因有很多｡
    造成心脏病的原因有很多｡
    There are many things which can cause heart disease.