Curiosity is the fundamental impulse to understand the world around us.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A strong desire to learn or know something new.
- The driving force behind discovery and personal growth.
- An essential trait for critical thinking and learning.
常见语境：好奇心常出现在教育、科研、个人成长以及日常社交中。例如，孩子对世界充满好奇心是求知欲的表现；而在职场中，对新技术保持好奇心则是适应变革的关键。
- 1近义词辨析：与“求知欲”相比，“好奇心”范围更广，既包含对知识的渴望，也包含对琐事、八卦或新鲜事物的兴趣；而“求知欲”更偏向于对系统性知识和真理的追求。与“探索精神”相比，好奇心是动机，而探索精神则是将这种动机转化为实践的毅力。
Examples
他对科学实验充满了好奇心。
everydayHe is full of curiosity about scientific experiments.
保持好奇心是创新的前提。
formalMaintaining curiosity is a prerequisite for innovation.
别那么好奇心强，这跟你没关系。
informalDon't be so nosy, this has nothing to do with you.
好奇心驱使人类不断向外太空探索。
academicCuriosity drives humanity to explore outer space.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
出于好奇
Out of curiosity
好奇害死猫
Curiosity killed the cat
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to the desire for knowledge and learning. Curiosity is broader and can apply to anything new.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term is neutral but can lean negative if describing someone who asks too many personal questions. In professional settings, it is highly valued as a trait for growth. Use '保持好奇心' for a positive, aspirational tone.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse it with 'interest' (兴趣). While related, '好奇心' implies a deeper urge to investigate or uncover something, whereas '兴趣' is just a liking for something.
Tips
Use with '保持'
Pair '好奇心' with the verb '保持' (to maintain) to express a positive, lifelong mindset. It sounds very natural in self-improvement contexts.
Avoid negative connotations
Be careful when asking personal questions. Sometimes '好奇心太强' can imply being nosy or intrusive.
Confucian perspective
Traditionally, curiosity was balanced with '礼' (propriety). One should be curious about study but respectful of social boundaries.
Word Origin
The word is composed of '好' (good/like), '奇' (strange/novel), and '心' (heart/mind). It literally means 'the heart that likes the novel/strange'.
Cultural Context
In modern Chinese society, curiosity is highly encouraged in educational reforms. It is seen as the antidote to rote memorization.
Memory Tip
Think of a cat (猫) which is famously curious. In Chinese, curiosity is '好奇心', and cats are often used as a metaphor for being inquisitive.
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questions通常被认为是好事，因为它能推动学习和创新。但如果过度关注他人的隐私，则可能被视为不礼貌。
可以通过多问“为什么”、阅读不同领域的书籍以及尝试新的爱好来培养。保持开放的心态是关键。
好奇心是对知识和世界的探索，通常具有建设性；而八卦往往是对他人隐私的不当窥探，缺乏建设性。
Test Yourself
孩子对这个世界总是充满了___。
好奇心符合对世界充满探索欲望的语境。
Score: /1
Summary
Curiosity is the fundamental impulse to understand the world around us.
- A strong desire to learn or know something new.
- The driving force behind discovery and personal growth.
- An essential trait for critical thinking and learning.
Use with '保持'
Pair '好奇心' with the verb '保持' (to maintain) to express a positive, lifelong mindset. It sounds very natural in self-improvement contexts.
Avoid negative connotations
Be careful when asking personal questions. Sometimes '好奇心太强' can imply being nosy or intrusive.
Confucian perspective
Traditionally, curiosity was balanced with '礼' (propriety). One should be curious about study but respectful of social boundaries.
Examples
4 of 4他对科学实验充满了好奇心。
He is full of curiosity about scientific experiments.
保持好奇心是创新的前提。
Maintaining curiosity is a prerequisite for innovation.
别那么好奇心强，这跟你没关系。
Don't be so nosy, this has nothing to do with you.
好奇心驱使人类不断向外太空探索。
Curiosity drives humanity to explore outer space.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Vocabulary
More emotions words
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
佩服
B1To admire; to respect.
