Definitions

xiān (adjective) fresh; tasty; delicious
xiān (adjective) bright in color
xiǎn (adjective) few; rare

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 鲜, traditional 鮮, combines the fish radical 鱼 (yú) with the sheep component 羊 (yáng). This pairing reflects the culinary prestige of both animals, as fish and lamb were prized for their rich, distinctive flavors. Together, they form an ideogram for intense umami or deliciousness, evoking the taste of freshly caught or butchered meat. From this literal sense of premium flavor, the meaning broadened to denote freshness, and later extended to describe bright, vibrant colors and newly produced things.

Example Sentences Hide

这牛奶很新

Zhè niúnǎi hěn xīnxiān.

This milk is very fresh.

她买了一些花。

Tā mǎile yīxiē xiānhuā.

She bought some fresh flowers.

的味道真美。

Hǎixiān de wèidào zhēn xiānměi.

The seafood tastes really delicious and fresh.

他的观点非常明。

Tā de guāndiǎn fēicháng xiānmíng.

His viewpoint is very clear and distinct.

这种水果有人知。

Zhè zhǒng shuǐguǒ xiǎn yǒu rén zhī.

This type of fruit is rarely known by people.

这幅画的色彩明亮丽。

Zhè fú huà de sècǎi xiānmíng liànglì.

The colors in this painting are vivid and bright.

他向我们讲述了为人知的历史。

Tā xiàng wǒmen jiǎngshùle xiǎn wéi rén zhī de lìshǐ.

He told us about the little-known history.

这种现象在当今社会已屡见不

Zhè zhǒng xiànxiàng zài dāngjīn shèhuì yǐ lǚ jiàn bù xiān.

This phenomenon has become commonplace in today's society.