鮮 (xiān) - Fresh & delicious

鮮Tone 1

xiān ｜ 17 strokes ｜ radical:

万响

鮮 · xiān

Fresh;

delicious;

tasty;

bright;

vivid;

new;

rare;

few;

(of fish) raw, uncooked;

(Korean surname) Seon.

Freshdelicioustasty

Usage highlights

Fresh airFresh flowersFresh fruitBright colorsRare opportunityKorean barbecue

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • This fish is very fresh (鱼很新鲜).
  • She likes to eat fresh fruit (新鲜水果).
  • The flowers have bright colors (鲜花).
  • This is a rare opportunity (鲜有的机会).
  • Korean kimchi has a unique flavor (韩式泡菜风味独特).

Collocations

  • Fresh air(新鲜空气)
  • Fresh flowers(鲜花)
  • Fresh fruit(新鲜水果)
  • Bright colors(鲜艳)
  • Rare opportunity(鲜有机会)
  • Korean barbecue(韩式烧烤)

Idioms

  • As rare as morning stars(寥若晨星)
  • Fresh and refined(清新鲜明)
  • Rarely seen(鲜为人知)
  • Bright and beautiful(鲜艳夺目)
  • Fresh and lively(鲜活生动)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese cuisine, 鲜 represents the prized 'umami' flavor - the fifth taste beyond sweet, sour, salty, and bitter.
  • The character appears in many Korean names and words due to its use as a common Korean surname (Seon).
  • In traditional Chinese culture, fresh ingredients were highly valued for both taste and medicinal properties.

FAQ