慾 (yù) - Desire, craving, longing, appetite — refers to strong

慾Tone 4

yù ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

喻悦

慾 · yù

Desire, craving, longing, appetite — refers to strong wants, passions, or lusts, often with a connotation of being difficult to control or excessive.

Desire, craving, longing, appetite — refers to strong

Usage highlights

DesireSexual desireAppetiteThirstGreedMaterial desires

Synonyms

  • 望— hope, wish, desire (often less intense)
  • 愿— wish, desire (more aspirational)

Antonyms

  • 厌— disgust, loathing, aversion
  • 弃— abandon, renounce, give up

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He has a strong desire for knowledge (求知欲).
  • Controlling one's desires is important (控制欲望).
  • She felt a sudden urge to travel (旅行欲).
  • Appetite for risk (冒险欲) can lead to both success and failure.

Collocations

  • Desire(欲望)
  • Sexual desire(性欲)
  • Appetite(食欲)
  • Thirst(求知欲)
  • Greed(贪欲)
  • Material desires(物欲)

Idioms

  • The seven emotions and six desires(七情六欲)
  • Follow one's desires(随心所欲)
  • Greed knows no bounds(欲壑难填)
  • Desire to stop but cannot(欲罢不能)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Confucian and Buddhist thought, unrestrained desire is often seen as a source of suffering and moral failure.
  • The character appears in many philosophical discussions about human nature and self-cultivation.
  • It carries a nuanced meaning, sometimes negative (excessive craving) but also neutral (natural human wants).

FAQ