Definition
阴阳 (yīn yáng) is a foundational concept in Chinese philosophy, referring to the two opposing but complementary forces that exist in all things — yin (dark, passive, female, negative) and yang (bright, active, male, positive). The dynamic balance of yin and yang is central to Chinese medicine, fengshui, and martial arts. In everyday language, 阴阳 can also refer more broadly to a balance of opposites or, colloquially, to something mysterious or occult. It is always a noun and often appears in the set phrase 阴阳五行 (yīn yáng wǔ xíng, 'the five elements and yin-yang').
noun
yin and yangthe two complementary forces in Chinese cosmologybalance of oppositesinterplay of forces
Examples
- ，阴阳。Zhōngyī rènwéi, réntǐ de jiànkāng qǔjué yú yīn yáng pínghéng.Chinese medicine believes that the health of the human body depends on the balance of yin and yang.
- 阴阳。Zhè fú huà tǐxiàn le yīn yáng xiāngshēng de zhéxué sīxiǎng.This painting embodies the philosophical idea that yin and yang give rise to each other.
- 阴阳，。Tāmen zhījiān de guānxì jiù xiàng yīn yáng yíyàng, hùxiāng bǔchōng.The relationship between them is like yin and yang, complementing each other.
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