激情

• Pinyin: jī qíng
• Hanzi breakdown: 激 = 氵(water) + 敫, to surge/stimulate; 情 = 忄(heart) + 青, emotion

Meaning

Passion; intense enthusiasm or strong emotion.

Refers to intense emotional energy, whether in work, love, sports, or creative pursuits. Often used positively to describe enthusiasm and drive, but can also describe passionate romantic feelings or intense emotional states.

Examples

1. 年轻人应该趁着有激情的时候多去尝试新事物。 Young people should try new things while they still have passion.
2. 他对音乐的激情从未消退，七十岁了还在坚持创作。 His passion for music has never faded — he's still creating at seventy.
3. 世界杯期间，球迷们的激情让整座城市都沸腾了。 During the World Cup, the fans' passion made the whole city boil over with excitement.

Usage Guide

Context: motivation, romance, sports, arts

Tone: enthusiastic

Do Say

• 她对工作充满激情。(She is full of passion for her work.)
• 年轻时的激情岁月让人怀念。(The passionate years of youth are nostalgic.)

Don't Say

• 在正式场合过度使用激情形容工作态度 (Can sound overly emotional — use 热情 for a more measured tone)

Origin & History

Compound of 激 (to arouse/intense) + 情 (emotion/feeling). Together they form 'intense emotion' or 'passion.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal