Yuanqi / Fundamental Qi (Vital Force)
原始状态的气。“元”意为初始、端始，“元气”就是指处于原始状态的“气”。“元气”没有具体的形状，同时也没有分化出阴阳的属性。“元气”在天地万物之先而存在。“元气”经由一定的变化而分判为阴阳之气或天地之气，进而生成天地万物。有些古人认为“元气”就是天地万物的本原，也有人认为“元气”来自更根本的虚无。“元气”有时也泛指构成人与事物的某种“气”。
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，元气之所生，万物之所自焉。（《太平御览·天部一·元气》引《礼统》）
天地是由元气所生，是万物的根源。
Yuanqi gives birth to heaven and earth. It is the source of everything. (Imperial Reader for Emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty)
◎人禀元气于天，各受寿夭之命，以立长短之形。（王充《论衡·无形》）
人从上天那里禀受元气，各自接受长短不同的寿命，确定高矮不同的形体。
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)
推荐：教育部 国家语委
供稿：北京外国语大学 外语教学与研究出版社
责任编辑：钱耐安
