yuanfen
Language: Mandarin · [ɥɛn˧˥fən˥˩] · Pronunciation: ywen-FUN
Meaning
the binding force that brings people together — fate, kismet
The story
The idea comes out of Buddhist karma: some meetings were on the books long before either of you showed up. Mandarin can even split it — having yuan but no fen means fated to meet, not fated to stay. English borrows kismet, or settles for fate.
The four rounds
- Which language is it from?
- Mandarin
- When does it come up?
- When strangers keep crossing paths
- Where would you hear it?
- Toasting the delayed flight where they met
- What does it mean?
- The pull that draws two lives together
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