鲜

• 拼音: xiān
• 汉字拆解: 鲜 = 鱼 (fish) + 羊 (sheep) — two foods representing freshness and flavour

含义

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.

例句

1. 市场上的蔬菜都很鲜，早上刚送来的。
2. 她穿了一件鲜红色的外套，非常显眼。
3. 这道汤的味道很鲜，非常好喝。

用法指南

语境: food, description

语气: neutral

正确说法

• 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.)

错误说法

• 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.)

起源与历史

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

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal