缘分 yuánfèn fate or chance that brings people together
fate or chance that brings people together; predestined affinity or relationship; (Budd.) destiny
How to remember 缘分: 缘 reason + 分 divide = fate or chance that brings people together.
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How it is used
- The fated affinity that brings people together - 我们很有缘分 (wǒmen hěn yǒu yuánfèn) we're destined to connect.
- A deeply cultural concept (Buddhist roots) with no clean English equal; it frames meetings, friendships, and love as predestined.
- Warm, everyday register: 有缘分 means a bond was 'meant to be'; 没缘分 means it wasn't fated to work out.