Chinese word

热闹

Pronunciation

Pinyinrè nào

Meaning

  • adjectivelively

Example

这条街很热闹。zhè tiáo jiē hěn rè nào

This street is very lively.

Illustration for 热闹 (lively)

More examples

夜市里人很多，气氛很热闹。yè shì lǐ rén hěn duō qì fēn hěn rè nào

There are many people in the night market, and the atmosphere is very lively.

Core concept

A public or social setting comes alive through crowds, activity, and animated sound.

Common phrases

  • 很热闹hěn rè nào

    very lively

  • 越来越热闹yuè lái yuè rè nào

    livelier and livelier

  • 热闹的节日rè nào de jié rì

    lively festival

Similar words

吵chǎo: Describes a place or situation made noisy by loud voices or other sounds.
喧闹xuān nào: Describes a place or situation made noisy and unsettled by loud, disorderly activity.
忙máng: Describes being busy with so many tasks or duties that there is little time to stop.

Definition in Chinese

用于描述因为人多、活动或声音而显得兴旺、热烈的场面，常指街道、店铺、聚会等地方的气氛。yòng yú miáo shù yīn wèi rén duō huó dòng huò shēng yīn ér xiǎn de xīng wàng rè liè de chǎng miàn cháng zhǐ jiē dào diàn pù jù huì děng dì fāng de qì fēn

Word origin

热 (rè, "hot") suggests intensity and 闹 (nào, "noisy or bustling") suggests active commotion, so their combination describes a scene charged with human activity.

Usage tips

  • Native English speakers may use busy for a crowded place, but 热闹 (rènào, "lively") focuses on the social atmosphere rather than only work, traffic, or lack of free time.

Other meanings

  • bustlenoun
  • liven upverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 热闹非凡rè nào fēi fánextraordinarily livelyidiom

Word lists with this word