Meanings of 馁
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About 馁
Podcast: 馁
Podcast: 馁
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AI Study Notes for 馁
饥 (jī) — use 馁 (něi) to convey a deeper, more desperate state of hunger than the general term 饥 (jī) which simply means 'hungry.'
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 馁 with other similar words for hunger, such as 饿 (è), which is more common and less intense. This word is generally used in more formal or literary contexts, so it may not be suitable in casual conversations about hunger.
Although 馁 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words related to food and hunger, such as 饿 (è). Students should focus on the emotional connotations of this word when discussing desires or needs.
Learners often confuse 馁 with 饿, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我馁' (Wǒ něi) to mean 'I am hungry' is incorrect; instead, use '我饿' (Wǒ è).
Pronunciation of 馁
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Jason Explains 馁 to You
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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.
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Etymology of 馁
food
Origin
馁 = 饣 + 妥. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 馁
Parts
Which of these is part of 馁?
How to say famished, hungry, starving in Chinese
“famished, hungry, starving” in Chinese is馁
The character 馁 (něi) describes a state of extreme hunger or starvation. It is often used in literary contexts or to emphasize a deep sense of longing for food, conveying a more intense feeling than just being 'hungry.' This word can also imply desperation in situations where food is scarce.
When to use 馁
Learners should be cautious not to confuse 馁 with other similar words for hunger, such as 饿 (è), which is more common and less intense. This word is generally used in more formal or literary contexts, so it may not be suitable in casual conversations about hunger.
馁 or something close to it
饥 (jī) — use 馁 (něi) to convey a deeper, more desperate state of hunger than the general term 饥 (jī) which simply means 'hungry.'
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 馁 with 饿, leading to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我馁' (Wǒ něi) to mean 'I am hungry' is incorrect; instead, use '我饿' (Wǒ è).
Write 馁
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Practice writing 馁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 馁
馁 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. 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.
勿因一次失败而气____.
Don't let one failure discourage you.
Example Sentences for 馁 (1)
Rebuild it
Rebuild it: “Don't let one failure discourage you.”
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Word Family of 馁
Words with 馁
What does 气馁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 馁
No, it's typically used in literary or formal contexts, while 饿 is more commonly used in everyday speech.
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