欲

慾

yù

欠 + 谷

Definitions

yù (verb) to desire; to want; to wish for

yù (noun) desire; lust; greed

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 欠, depicting a person with an open mouth, represents the meaning, while 谷 represents the sound.

Semantic: 欠 Phonetic: 谷

About

This phonosemantic compound combines 欠, depicting a person with an open mouth and suggesting a lack or bodily need, with 谷 (valley), which gives the sound. The character 欲 thus primarily signifies desire, wish, or craving, whether for physical or abstract things. It also expresses intending to do something, coveting, or the imminence of an action, and often serves as an auxiliary verb meaning 'about to' or 'going to'.

Etymology Hide

Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)

Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我想要一杯水。

Wǒ xiǎng yào yī bēi shuǐ.

I want a glass of water.

这个孩子食欲很好。

Zhège háizi shíyù hěn hǎo.

This child has a very good appetite.

他充满了求知的欲望。

Tā chōngmǎn le qiú zhī de yùwàng.

He is full of a desire for knowledge.

强烈的购物欲让她花了很多钱。

Qiángliè de gòuwù yù ràng tā huāle hěnduō qián.

A strong desire to shop made her spend a lot of money.

人要学会克制自己的欲望。

Rén yào xuéhuì kèzhì zìjǐ de yùwàng.

People must learn to control their desires.

他欲言又止，似乎有难言之隐。

Tā yù yán yòu zhǐ, sìhū yǒu nán yán zhī yǐn.

He stopped short of speaking, as if he had some unspeakable trouble.

此产品旨在满足用户潜在的需求。

Cǐ chǎnpǐn zhǐ zài mǎnzú yònghù qiánzài de xūqiú.

This product aims to satisfy users' latent needs.

这部影片探讨了人性中的欲望与挣扎。

Zhè bù yǐngpiàn tàntǎo le rénxìng zhōng de yùwàng yǔ zhēngzhá.

This film explores the desires and struggles within human nature.

Related Characters

Composed characters:

Component: 欠

Component: 谷

欲