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March 24, 2026
欲(慾)yù(yu4)
The character 欲 (yù) primarily means 'desire' or 'want.' It encompasses a range of feelings related to appetite, passion, and even greed. This character is often used in contexts discussing personal ambitions or emotional yearnings.
Strokes11Radical欠Frequency#3386DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 欲 can relate to the teachings of Confucianism and Buddhism, where desires are often viewed as a source of suffering or a distraction from spiritual fulfillment.
Memory Tip
Imagine a hungry person (the radical 欠 represents 'lack' or 'want') sitting under a large tree (the character's structure) wishing to reach the fruits of their desires. The sound 'yù' can remind you of 'you' wanting something fervently.
Meanings of 欲
yù(yu4)
1desire
2appetite
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About 欲
欲Simplified
慾Traditional
11Strokes
欠Radical
副词fùcíadverb (adv.)Part of Speech
#3386Frequency Rank
Podcast: 欲
Podcast: 欲
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AI Study Notes for 欲
Quick Contrast
渴望 (kěwàng) - use 欲 for a more general or intense desire, while 渴望 emphasizes a deep longing or yearning.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a hungry person (the radical 欠 represents 'lack' or 'want') sitting under a large tree (the character's structure) wishing to reach the fruits of their desires. The sound 'yù' can remind you of 'you' wanting something fervently.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 欲 with other similar characters like 想 (xiǎng), which means 'to think' or 'to want' but has a softer nuance. 欲 tends to have a stronger connotation, often implying a sense of urgency or greed. Common collocations include 欲望 (yùwàng, desire) and 欲求 (yùqiú, longing).
HSK Study Tips
Although 欲 is not in the official HSK levels, it is beneficial for learners to understand this character as it connects to concepts like desire and intention. Focus on its use in phrases and differentiate it from other desire-related terms to deepen your understanding.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of 欲 can relate to the teachings of Confucianism and Buddhism, where desires are often viewed as a source of suffering or a distraction from spiritual fulfillment.
Common Mistakes
Learners often mistakenly use 欲 in contexts where 想 would be more appropriate, such as saying 我欲吃 (wǒ yù chī, I want to eat) instead of 我想吃 (wǒ xiǎng chī). Remember that 欲 carries a stronger, more intense meaning.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 欲
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Grammar Patterns of 欲
欲 functions as an adverb — it modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. In Chinese, adverbs sit BEFORE the verb they modify (我也去, 他常常迟到), never after it. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Symptoms are a slight fever, headache and loss of appetite.
Cultural Notes for 欲
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of 欲 can relate to the teachings of Confucianism and Buddhism, where desires are often viewed as a source of suffering or a distraction from spiritual fulfillment.
