Chinese word

兴趣

Pronunciation

Pinyinxìng qù

Meaning

  • nouninterest

Example

我对中文很有兴趣。wǒ duì zhōng wén hěn yǒu xìng qù

I am very interested in Chinese.

Illustration for 兴趣 (interest)

More examples

他对体育比赛没有兴趣。tā duì tǐ yù bǐ sài méi yǒu xìng qù

He has no interest in sports competitions.

Core concept

A mental pull that draws attention and time toward a subject or activity.

Common phrases

  • 对...没有兴趣duì méi yǒu xìng qù

    have no interest in ___

  • 培养兴趣péi yǎng xìng qù

    cultivate interest

  • 保持兴趣bǎo chí xìng qù

    maintain interest

Similar words

爱好ài hào: A preference or hobby enjoyed and followed regularly over a long period.
兴致xìng zhì: A temporary mood or desire to try something at a particular moment.
乐趣lè qù: The enjoyable feeling or pleasure gained from doing something.
热情rè qíng: A strong, eager, and positive feeling for taking part in something.

Definition in Chinese

对某人或事物想了解、愿意花时间和注意力的心理状态，也指对活动或话题的喜好或关心。duì mǒu rén huò shì wù xiǎng liáo jiě yuàn yì huā shí jiān hé zhù yì lì de xīn lǐ zhuàng tài yě zhǐ duì huó dòng huò huà tí de xǐ hào huò guān xīn

Word origin

In this compound, 兴 (xìng, "enthusiasm") contributes the feeling of being stirred, while 趣 (qù, "inclination") contributes the direction of attention.

Usage tips

  • For money earned or charged on savings or a loan, everyday Chinese uses 利息 (lìxī, "interest on money"), not this word, so the financial sense of English interest needs a different noun.

Other meanings

  • curiositynoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 兴趣爱好xìng qù ài hàohobbies and interestsnoun
  • 兴趣小组xìng qù xiáo zǔinterest groupnoun

Word lists with this word