Meanings of 羡
By ear
Play it, then pick what 羡 means.
About 羡
Podcast: 羡
Podcast: 羡
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI study notes for 羡
羡 (xiàn) vs 嫉 (jí) — use 羡 to express admiration or envy without malice, while 嫉 conveys jealousy or resentment.
Learners often confuse 羡 with similar verbs like 爱 (ài) meaning 'love' or 喜欢 (xǐhuān) meaning 'like,' which can lead to under-expressing the nuance of envy. The tone is crucial; be careful to pronounce it with the fourth tone (xiàn) and not confuse it with other similar-sounding characters. Common collocations include 羡慕 (xiànmù) which means 'to admire' or 'to envy.'
Although 羡 is not specifically in the HSK curriculum, it relates to emotions and interpersonal relationships, important themes in HSK vocabulary. Students should focus on its usage in expressing feelings and compare it with other emotional verbs they learn at this level.
Learners often mistakenly use 羡 in a purely positive context, like saying '我羡慕他的才华' (Wǒ xiànmù tā de cáihuá) without understanding it implies a sense of envy. To express pure admiration, consider using 赞赏 (zànshǎng) instead.
Pronunciation of 羡
Drill the tone of 羡, say it back, see your pitch against the model voice, and earn XP towards mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 羡 to you
Let me explain 羡 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 羡 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
How well do you know 羡?
Learning Lab
Knowing 羡 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Etymology of 羡
Someone who has a whole row 次 of sheep 羊
Origin
What kind of character is 羡?
Decomposition of 羡
Parts
Which of these is part of 羡?
How to say to envy in Chinese
“to envy” in Chinese is羡
The character 羡 (xiàn) primarily means to feel envy or admiration towards someone else's achievements or possessions. It is often used in contexts where one expresses a longing for what another person has, whether it be success, wealth, or qualities. The nuance can range from mild admiration to deep covetousness, depending on the context.
When to use 羡
Learners often confuse 羡 with similar verbs like 爱 (ài) meaning 'love' or 喜欢 (xǐhuān) meaning 'like,' which can lead to under-expressing the nuance of envy. The tone is crucial; be careful to pronounce it with the fourth tone (xiàn) and not confuse it with other similar-sounding characters. Common collocations include 羡慕 (xiànmù) which means 'to admire' or 'to envy.'
羡 or something close to it
羡 (xiàn) vs 嫉 (jí) — use 羡 to express admiration or envy without malice, while 嫉 conveys jealousy or resentment.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use 羡 in a purely positive context, like saying '我羡慕他的才华' (Wǒ xiànmù tā de cáihuá) without understanding it implies a sense of envy. To express pure admiration, consider using 赞赏 (zànshǎng) instead.
Write 羡
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 羡 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar patterns of 羡
羡 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
与其____慕别人的成功，不如自己努力去争取。
Rather than envying others' success, it's better to work hard and strive for your own.
Common confusions with 羡
Similar pronunciation but different meaning.
Same pinyin but different meaning and usage.
Which one
Which one means “to envy”?
Usage Notes for 羡
Learners often confuse 羡 with words that imply admiration without envy. Ensure the context indicates envy or coveting.
我羡慕她的才华。
I envy her talent.
Get it right
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
我____慕她的才华。
I envy her talent.
Example sentences for 羡 (6)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 羡?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 200 AI credits.
Cultural Notes for 羡
In Western cultures, envy is often viewed negatively and associated with personal failure, while in Chinese culture, it can be seen as a motivation to improve oneself, albeit with caution regarding how openly one expresses such feelings.
Word Family of 羡
Words with 羡
What does 羡慕 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 羡
While 羡 (xiàn) means to admire or envy someone for what they have, 嫉妒 (jí dù) refers to jealousy, which often includes negative feelings towards someone else's success or possessions. In essence, 羡 is more about admiration, while 嫉妒 carries a more negative connotation.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 羡?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.