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元氣
Yuanqi / Fundamental Qi (Vital Force)
原始狀態(tài)的氣。“元”意為初始、端始，“元氣”就是指處于原始狀態(tài)的“氣”?！霸獨狻睕]有具體的形狀，同時也沒有分化出陰陽的屬性?！霸獨狻痹谔斓厝f物之先而存在。“元氣”經(jīng)由一定的變化而分判為陰陽之氣或天地之氣，進而生成天地萬物。有些古人認為“元氣”就是天地萬物的本原，也有人認為“元氣”來自更根本的虛無。“元氣”有時也泛指構(gòu)成人與事物的某種“氣”。
Yuanqi refers to qi in its original state, with yuan (元) denoting the beginning or the initial point. Yuanqi can neither be defined by shape nor be attributed to yin or yang. It existed prior to the emergence of heaven, earth, and all the things in between. After experiencing certain changes, it was separated into the qi of yin and yang, or that of heaven and earth. Hence the generation of all the things between heaven and earth. Some ancients regarded yuanqi as the origin of the world, while others believed that it was derived from the void, a more primitive state of being. Yuanqi sometimes refers to the qi that constitutes human bodies and all the other things in general.
引例 Citations：
◎天地者，元氣之所生，萬物之所自焉。（《太平御覽·天部一·元氣》引《禮統(tǒng)》）
天地是由元氣所生，是萬物的根源。
Yuanqi gives birth to heaven and earth. It is the source of everything. (Imperial Reader for Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty)
◎人稟元氣于天，各受壽夭之命，以立長短之形。（王充《論衡·無形》）
人從上天那里稟受元氣，各自接受長短不同的壽命，確定高矮不同的形體。
Human beings are endowed by Heaven with yuanqi, which shapes the longevity and height of the body. (Wang Chong: A Comparative Study of Different Schools of Learning)
推薦：教育部 國家語委
供稿：北京外國語大學 外語教學與研究出版社
責任編輯：錢耐安
