yang
Yang (noun) means In Chinese philosophy, the active, bright, hot, and masculine principle that pairs with yin to form a balanced whole. Example: “The yoga instructor talked about balancing yin and yang in the body.”
How to use yang
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe "bright, active, masculine" half of the yin-yang pair in Chinese philosophy — almost always mentioned alongside yin.
Word forms
yanged past tense, yangs plural, yangs plural, yangs singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The yoga instructor talked about balancing yin and _____ in the body.
Etymology
From early Western spellings of Chinese 陽/阳 (yáng), originally meaning the sunlit side of a hill or building.
Rhymes for yang
See all rhymes for yang →Frequently asked questions
What does “yang” mean?
The word “yang” means in Chinese philosophy, the active, bright, hot, and masculine principle that pairs with yin to form a balanced whole. In plain terms, the "bright, active, masculine" half of the yin-yang pair in Chinese philosophy — almost always mentioned alongside yin.
How do you pronounce “yang”?
“Yang” is pronounced YANG (/ˈjeɪ̯ŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “yang” in a sentence?
Here is “yang” used in a sentence: “The yoga instructor talked about balancing yin and yang in the body.”
What part of speech is “yang”?
“Yang” is a noun.
Where does the word “yang” come from?
The word “yang” comes from Chinese. From early Western spellings of Chinese 陽/阳 (yáng), originally meaning the sunlit side of a hill or building.
Is “yang” a common word?
“Yang” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “yang” have?
“Yang” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: in Chinese philosophy, the active, bright, hot, and masculine principle that pairs with yin to form a balanced whole.
What is the difference between "yin" and "yang"?
In Chinese philosophy, yang is the active, bright, hot, and masculine principle, while yin is its passive, dark, cold, and feminine counterpart. The two are complementary opposites that pair together to form a balanced whole.
What qualities are associated with "yang"?
Yang is linked with activity, brightness, heat, and the masculine principle in Chinese philosophy. It represents the outward, energetic side of the balance it forms with yin.
Does "yang" have any meaning outside Chinese philosophy?
Yes. Besides the philosophical principle, "yang" was also the former monetary unit of Korea, used from 1892 to 1902. In modern English, though, the philosophical sense is by far the most common.
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