享受

• Pinyin: xiǎng shòu
• Hanzi breakdown: 享 = 亠 (lid) + 子 (child), depicting offerings at a shrine; 受 = 爪 (hand) + 冖 (cover) + 又 (hand), meaning to receive

Meaning

To enjoy; to experience pleasure; enjoyment. Indicates taking pleasure in something or benefiting from something.

Can be used as both a verb (to enjoy) and a noun (enjoyment). Encompasses enjoying experiences, benefits, rights, or comforts. Often appears with 生活 (life), 美食 (good food), 福利 (benefits), or describes savoring a moment.

Examples

1. 退休以后，他终于可以享受生活了。 After retirement, he can finally enjoy life.
2. 这家餐厅的环境很好，让人可以慢慢享受美食。 This restaurant has a great atmosphere, allowing you to slowly savor the food.
3. 员工可以享受公司提供的各种福利。 Employees can enjoy various benefits provided by the company.

Usage Guide

Context: lifestyle, benefits

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 好好享受假期吧！(Enjoy your vacation!)
• 这是一种精神上的享受。(This is a kind of spiritual enjoyment.)

Don't Say

• 我享受了很多钱 (Wrong colocation — use 挣了 or 赚了 for earning money; 享受 is for experiences, not acquiring things)

Origin & History

Compound of 享 (to enjoy, originally depicting an ancestral temple) and 受 (to receive), meaning to receive and enjoy.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal