Chinese word

慷慨

Pronunciation

Pinyinkāng kǎi

Meaning

  • adjectivegenerous

Example

他很慷慨，经常请客。tā hěn kāng kǎi jīng cháng qǐng kè

He is very generous and often treats others.

Illustration for 慷慨 (generous)

More examples

那位企业家在地震后对受灾群众慷慨捐助。nà wèi qǐ yè jiā zài dì zhèn hòu duì shòu zāi qún zhòng kāng kǎi juān zhù

That entrepreneur donated generously to people affected by the earthquake.

Core concept

A broad, warm spirit that gives freely instead of calculating every cost or favor.

Common phrases

  • 慷慨解囊kāng kái jiě náng

    give generously

  • 慷慨捐赠kāng kǎi juān zèng

    donate generously

  • 对别人慷慨duì bié rén kāng kǎi

    be generous to others

Similar words

大方dà fāng: Open-handed and easygoing with people, treating them generously without fussing over small details.
豪爽háo shuǎng: Bold and straightforward in manner, with a hearty and generous way of treating people.
大度dà dù: Broad-minded and forgiving, readily letting small mistakes or offenses go.

Definition in Chinese

性情宽厚，对人慷慨相待，常在金钱或帮助上大方，不斤斤计较。xìng qíng kuān hòu duì rén kāng kǎi xiāng dài cháng zài jīn qián huò bāng zhù shàng dà fāng bù jīn jīn jì jiào

Word origin

In older usage, 慷慨 (kāngkǎi, "generous") described an intense emotional response, and its meaning shifted toward the open spirit of someone who gives freely.

Usage tips

  • Its everyday range includes help and hospitality as well as financial giving, so descriptions of a host or friend are natural, not only a donor.

Other meanings

  • big-heartedadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 慷慨激昂kāng kǎi jī ángpassionate and forcefulidiom
  • 慷慨陈词kāng kǎi chén címake an impassioned speechidiom

Word lists with this word