noun
Common
yang
YANG
Yang (noun) means In Chinese philosophy, the active, bright, hot, and masculine principle that pairs with yin to form a balanced whole. Example: “In the symbol, the white swirl stands for yang and the black for yin.”
noun
1
In Chinese philosophy, the active, bright, hot, and masculine principle that pairs with yin to form a balanced whole.
"In the symbol, the white swirl stands for yang and the black for yin."
"The yoga instructor talked about balancing yin and yang in the body."
"Fire and daylight are classic examples of yang energy."
2
The former monetary unit of Korea, used from 1892 to 1902.
"A museum label said the old coin was worth one yang."
"Historians study how the yang eventually gave way to a new currency."
"Old Korean coins from the 1890s were denominated in yang."
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.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
yin and yang
yang energy
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Word forms
- Plural
- yangs
- Third person singular
- yangs
- Past tense
- yanged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
In the symbol, the white swirl stands for _____ and the black for yin.
Etymology
From early Western spellings of Chinese 陽/阳 (yáng), originally meaning the sunlit side of a hill or building.
Antonyms
Related words
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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