[leadhead]

"Yuhangyuan" means "space navigator" or "space space traveller" (Yu - space, Yang - navigation, Yuan - "-or/er/st"). It is one of Chinese terms of taikonaut. Others include "Hangtianyuan" and "Taikongren", among which only the latter are popularily used in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and overseas Chinese. All above 3 words use strict Chinese roman spelling system (Pingying). "Taikonaut" is derieved from "Taikongren". The modification is to make the word more consistent with astronaut and cosmonaut. I don't think Yuhangyuan is better. It is not used in Taiwan and Hong Kong. It is too long and looks complex and difficult to speak. Chen Lan

[RightWhale]

Thank you. :)