Chinese word

有意思

Pronunciation

Pinyinyǒu yì si

Meaning

  • adjectiveinteresting

Example

这本书很有意思。zhè běn shū hěn yǒu yì si

This book is very interesting.

Illustration for 有意思 (interesting)

More examples

这件事对孩子们来说很有意思。zhè jiàn shì duì hái zi men lái shuō hěn yǒu yì si

This is very interesting to children.

Core concept

A thing or situation that holds attention by being meaningful, enjoyable, or pleasantly unusual.

Common phrases

  • 对我有意思duì wǒ yǒu yì si

    has a crush on me

  • 挺有意思tǐng yǒu yì si

    quite interesting

  • 这件事有意思zhè jiàn shì yǒu yì si

    this is interesting

Similar words

有趣yǒu qù: Interesting in a way that draws attention and makes people curious.
好玩hǎo wán: Fun and enjoyable as a way to spend time.
好看hǎo kàn: Pleasant to look at or read because its appearance or content is appealing.

Definition in Chinese

引起兴趣、使人觉得有趣或有意义的事物或情况。yín qǐ xìng qù shǐ rén jué de yǒu qù huò yǒu yì yì de shì wù huò qíng kuàng

Word origin

有意思 (yǒuyìsi, "interesting") is formed from 有 (yǒu, "have") + 意思 (yìsi, "meaning"), linking the idea of having meaning with something that holds interest.

Usage tips

  • English often separates mental interest from enjoyment, but this Chinese adjective can naturally cover both kinds of reaction in one word.

Other meanings

  • funadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word