Chinese word

食欲

Pronunciation

Pinyinshí yù

Meaning

  • nounappetite

Example

我今天没什么食欲。wǒ jīn tiān méi shén me shí yù

I don't have much of an appetite today.

Illustration for 食欲 (appetite)

More examples

压力大时，我的食欲会减退。yā lì dà shí wǒ de shí yù huì jiǎn tuì

When I am very stressed, my appetite decreases.

Core concept

Interest in eating that can rise or fade at a particular time.

Common phrases

  • 食欲旺盛shí yù wàng shèng

    strong appetite

  • 刺激食欲cì jī shí yù

    stimulate appetite

  • 抑制食欲yì zhì shí yù

    curb appetite

Similar words

胃口wèi kǒu: The willingness to eat, often describing whether someone feels ready for food.
食量shí liàng: The quantity of food a person is able to eat on one occasion or in a day.

Definition in Chinese

指一个人想进食的欲望或兴趣，常用来评价有无吃东西的意愿。zhǐ yí gè rén xiǎng jìn shí de yù wàng huò xìng qù cháng yòng lái píng jià yǒu wú chī dōng xī de yì yuàn

Word origin

The compound 食欲 (shíyù, "desire to eat") joins 食 (shí, "eat") and 欲 (yù, "desire"), making its meaning a direct combination of its two parts.

Usage tips

  • This noun describes a general condition, so it can refer to an overall lack of interest in food rather than dislike of one particular dish.

Opposites

  • 食欲不振shí yù bú zhènloss of appetitenoun
  • 食欲减退shí yù jiǎn tuìreduced appetitenoun

Related words

  • 食欲旺盛shí yù wàng shènghaving a strong appetiteadjective
  • 食欲抑制剂shí yù yì zhì jìappetite suppressantnoun

Word lists with this word