Chinese word

好奇心

Pronunciation

Pinyinhào qí xīn

Meaning

  • nouncuriosity

Example

孩子对动物总是有好奇心。hái zi duì dòng wù zǒng shì yǒu hào qí xīn

Children are always curious about animals.

Illustration for 好奇心 (curiosity)

More examples

父母应该在日常生活中培养孩子的好奇心。fù mǔ yīng gāi zài rì cháng shēng huó zhōng péi yǎng hái zi de hào qí xīn

Parents should cultivate their children's curiosity in daily life.

Core concept

An inner pull toward what is unfamiliar, leading the mind to look closer and find out more.

Common phrases

  • 培养好奇心péi yǎng hào qí xīn

    cultivate curiosity

  • 保持好奇心bǎo chí hào qí xīn

    maintain curiosity

  • 抑制好奇心yì zhì hào qí xīn

    suppress curiosity

Similar words

求知欲qiú zhī yù: A strong desire to gain new knowledge or facts.
兴趣xìng qù: A natural liking for a subject that draws time and attention.

Definition in Chinese

出于想知道或试验的愿望而产生、促使观察、提问或尝试的内在驱动力。chū yú xiǎng zhī dào huò shì yàn de yuàn wàng ér chǎn shēng cù shǐ guān chá tí wèn huò cháng shì de nèi zài qū dòng lì

Word origin

好 (hǎo, "to like") + 奇 (qí, "unusual") + 心 (xīn, "mind") presents curiosity as a mind drawn to what is unusual.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Chinese, 好奇心 (hàoqíxīn, "curiosity") is neutral in tone, so context shows whether the interest is welcome or intrusive.

Other meanings

  • interestnoun

Related words

  • 好奇心旺盛hào qí xīn wàng shènghighly curiousadjective

Word lists with this word