享 (xiǎng) - to enjoy & to receive (benefits, hospitality)

享Tone 3

xiǎng ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 亠

万响

享 · xiǎng

to enjoy;

to receive (benefits, hospitality);

to offer sacrifices to gods or ancestors;

to feast.

to enjoyto receive (benefits, hospitality)to offer sacrifices to gods or ancestors

Usage highlights

to enjoyto shareenjoymentto receive benefitsto useto offer sacrifices

Synonyms

  • 受— to receive
  • 受用— to enjoy the use of

Antonyms

  • 苦— to suffer
  • 劳— to toil

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He enjoys a comfortable life (享受舒适的生活).
  • The hotel offers complimentary breakfast (酒店提供免费早餐).
  • We offer sacrifices to ancestors (祭祀祖先).

Collocations

  • to enjoy(享受)
  • to share(分享)
  • enjoyment(享乐)
  • to receive benefits(享福)
  • to use(享用)
  • to offer sacrifices(享祭)

Idioms

  • To enjoy oneself to the full(坐享其成)
  • To enjoy the fruits of others' labor(坐享其成)
  • To have it both ways(左右逢源，尽享其利)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally depicted an ancestral temple where offerings were made, hence the meanings 'to offer' and 'to enjoy' (the sacrificial feast).
  • In Confucian culture, 'enjoyment' (享) is often linked to moral deserving—one enjoys blessings due to virtue or ancestral merit.

FAQ