苑

A phono-semantic compound:

艸 (grass) — semantic component, indicating plants

夗 (원) — phonetic component, supplying the sound (원 / yuàn)

Originally denoting a cultivated garden, the character came to signify a special, enclosed garden, particularly one reserved for royalty or the elite.

Semantic development:

- garden with plants — original sense

- royal / imperial garden — specialized, elevated usage

- figurative “center” — place where people or culture gather (cf. “메카”)

In classical and historical texts, 苑 most often refers to imperial or royal gardens. In Korean, the native gloss 나라동산 specifically refers to royal or state-owned gardens, distinguishing it from ordinary 정원 (庭園).

Common compounds:

원림 (苑林) — garden and groves; landscaped grounds

상림원 (上林苑) — the Imperial Park of the Han dynasty

학원 (學苑) — academy; center of learning

문학원 (文學苑) — literary circle; literary center

Because it is not part of everyday core vocabulary, it is not assigned an HSK level.

In Korean and Japanese, 苑 similarly retains a classical or formal tone.

Unlike 園 (general park or garden), 苑 carries a classical, elevated, or institutional nuance.

Related characters (gardens & enclosures):

園 — garden; park (general)

庭 — courtyard

林 — grove; woods

宮 — palace

Among these, 苑 implies prestige, enclosure, and cultural centrality.