Chinese word

鲜

Pronunciation

Pinyinxiān

Meaning

  • adjectivefresh

Example

早上买的菜很鲜。zǎo shàng mǎi de cài hěn xiān

The vegetables bought this morning are very fresh.

Illustration for 鲜 (fresh)

More examples

鲜奶放进冰箱可以保存更久。xiān nǎi fàng jìn bīng xiāng ké yǐ bǎo cún gèng jiǔ

Fresh milk can be kept longer in the refrigerator.

Core concept

A pleasing quality that feels lively and undiminished, from rich natural taste in food to brightness in color and newness in an idea.

Common phrases

  • 鲜奶xiān nǎi

    fresh milk

  • 鲜肉xiān ròu

    fresh meat

  • 鲜鱼xiān yú

    fresh fish

Similar words

新鲜xīn xiān: Fresh, juicy, and in good condition for eating.
好吃hǎo chī: Tasting good and enjoyable to eat.

Definition in Chinese

表示食物保留天然的鲜味、口感鲜美，也可用于形容颜色明亮或事物带来新鲜感。biǎo shì shí wù bǎo liú tiān rán de xiān wèi kóu gǎn xiān měi yě kě yòng yú xíng róng yán sè míng liàng huò shì wù dài lái xīn xiān gǎn

Word origin

The character 鲜 (xiān, "fresh") was formed from 鱼 (yú, "fish") + 羊 (yáng, "sheep"), linking it first with the appealing taste of fresh meat.

Usage tips

  • In food talk, this adjective often points to savory umami, so it can praise a broth or mushroom dish even when the food is not newly cooked.

Other meanings

  • deliciousadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word