鲜

• Pinyin: xiān
• Hanzi breakdown: 鲜 = 鱼 (fish) + 羊 (sheep) — two foods representing freshness and flavour

Meaning

Fresh; vivid; bright. Describes food that is newly harvested or prepared, or colours that are vivid and bright.

Has two main meanings: (1) freshness in food — 鲜鱼 (fresh fish), 鲜肉 (fresh meat); (2) vividness of colour — 鲜红 (bright red), 鲜艳 (vivid). Often appears as a prefix in compound words. Also used in a cooking/food context to describe the flavour umami, which is sometimes called 鲜味.

Examples

1. 市场上的蔬菜都很鲜，早上刚送来的。 The vegetables at the market are very fresh — they were just delivered this morning.
2. 她穿了一件鲜红色的外套，非常显眼。 She wore a bright red coat, which was very eye-catching.
3. 这道汤的味道很鲜，非常好喝。 This soup has a very fresh, delicious flavour.

Usage Guide

Context: food, description

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这鱼很鲜，今天早上刚买的。(This fish is very fresh — it was bought this morning.)
• 公园里的花颜色鲜艳，非常漂亮。(The flowers in the park are vivid in colour and very beautiful.)

Don't Say

• 把鲜用于描述过期或腐坏的食物。(Don't use 鲜 to describe old or spoiled food — 鲜 specifically means fresh; use 臭 or 坏了 for spoiled food.)

Origin & History

Composed of 鱼 (fish) and 羊 (sheep/goat), two of the freshest-tasting foods in ancient Chinese cuisine, together suggesting freshness and deliciousness.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal