Meanings of 恶心
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Podcast: 恶心
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AI Study Notes for 恶心
恶心 (ě xīn) vs 讨厌 (tǎo yàn) — use 恶心 for physical nausea or disgust, while 讨厌 is more about emotional dislike or annoyance.
Think of 恶 (è), which looks like a person with a frown, representing something bad or evil, and 心 (xīn), which means heart. Imagine a heart feeling queasy or disgusted when encountering something unpleasant, helping you remember the pronunciation and meaning.
Learners often confuse 恶心 with similar-sounding words like 伤心 (shāng xīn, to feel sad). This word is informal and widely used in conversation, but may not be suitable for formal writing. Be mindful of the tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
As an HSK Level 6 word, 恶心 connects to other vocabulary related to emotions and physical sensations. Focus on how this word is used in context, such as in expressions about health or personal feelings.
In Chinese culture, expressing disgust is often more direct than in Western contexts, where subtlety may be preferred. The use of 恶心 can reflect a person's strong feelings about food, cleanliness, or social situations.
Learners sometimes misuse 恶心 to describe a mild dislike, leading to sentences like '我恶心这个菜' (Wǒ ě xīn zhège cài), which is too strong for just not liking a dish. Instead, use '我不喜欢这个菜' (Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège cài) for mild preferences.
Pronunciation of 恶心
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Component Characters
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Grammar Patterns of 恶心
恶心 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 8 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.
Complete the Sentence
她显然还会照吃不误，然后把自己吃到____。
She would apparently eat normally and then make herself sick.
Example Sentences for 恶心 (10)
Cultural Notes for 恶心
In Chinese culture, expressing disgust is often more direct than in Western contexts, where subtlety may be preferred. The use of 恶心 can reflect a person's strong feelings about food, cleanliness, or social situations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 恶心
You can say '我觉得恶心' (Wǒ juédé ě xīn) meaning 'I feel nauseous'.
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