Definitions

(verb) to desire; to want; to wish for
(noun) desire; lust; greed

Etymology

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

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character 欲 is structurally composed of 谷 (valley) and 欠 (to lack), with the combination historically implying desire born from a sense of deficiency. Its core meaning of want or wish has been consistent in Chinese usage, while in classical contexts it also grammaticalized to denote imminent action, as in "about to". The form 欲 has served as the standard character throughout its history, with no distinct traditional variant separate from its common presentation.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Clerical etymology image
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.

这个孩子食很好。

Zhège háizi shíyù hěn hǎo.

This child has a very good appetite.

他充满了求知的望。

Tā chōngmǎn le qiú zhī de yùwàng.

He is full of a desire for knowledge.

强烈的购物让她花了很多钱。

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望。

Rén yào xuéhuì kèzhì zìjǐ de yùwàng.

People must learn to control their desires.

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.