Desire is the fundamental engine of human action, requiring both pursuit and discipline.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A strong internal drive to possess or experience something.
- Can be physical needs or abstract mental goals.
- Often requires management to maintain a balanced life.
Overview
- 1概述：欲望是驱动人类行为的核心动力之一。它源于内心对匮乏感的感知，促使个体采取行动去获取、占有或实现目标。从心理学角度看，欲望是生命力的一种体现，但其强度和方向决定了它可能成为进步的阶梯，也可能成为自我毁灭的陷阱。2) 使用模式：在中文表达中，“欲望”常与动词搭配，如“激发欲望”、“控制欲望”或“满足欲望”。它既可以作主语，也可以作宾语。当它带上贬义色彩时，常与“膨胀”、“贪婪”等词汇联用；而在中性或褒义语境下，它常与“追求”、“动力”相关联。3) 常见语境：在日常生活中，我们常谈论“物质欲望”（对金钱、奢侈品的渴望）；在文学或哲学讨论中，常涉及“精神欲望”或“人性欲望”。例如，在职场中，对升职的渴望被称为“权力的欲望”；在个人成长中，对未知的探索欲则是一种积极的欲望。4) 近义词辨析：“愿望”通常指较温和、理性的期盼，多用于未来规划；“渴望”则强调一种迫切的心理状态，情感色彩更浓；“贪婪”则专指对物质或利益的过度索求，带有明显的道德批判意味。相比之下，“欲望”是一个更宏观、中性的心理学术语，涵盖了从本能到高级追求的所有渴望。
Examples
他是一个没有物质欲望的人。
everydayHe is a person without material desires.
过度膨胀的欲望往往是失败的根源。
formalExcessive desires are often the root of failure.
我真的没什么购物欲望。
informalI really don't have any desire to shop.
该研究探讨了消费主义如何操控人类的欲望。
academicThe study explores how consumerism manipulates human desires.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
欲望无止境
Desires are endless
满足欲望
Satisfy desires
抑制欲望
Suppress desires
Often Confused With
Wish/Hope. '愿望' is more of a polite or distant expectation, while '欲望' is a visceral, internal drive.
Longing. '渴望' is often used as a verb or noun to express a very intense, positive, or emotional yearning for something specific.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '欲望' is neutral in itself but frequently leans toward negative when describing greed. Use '追求' or '向往' if you are talking about positive career or life goals. It is a formal noun that is rarely used in very casual 'slangy' speech.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it to mean 'wish' (愿望). Remember that '欲望' implies a deeper, more primitive, or intense force. Don't use it for simple things like 'I want to eat an apple'—that's just '想吃'.
Tips
Use with specific objects
To sound more natural, pair '欲望' with specific nouns like '求知欲' (desire for knowledge) or '物质欲望' (material desire). This clarifies the nature of the desire.
Avoid negative connotations
Using '欲望' alone in a formal context can sometimes imply greed. Use '追求' (pursuit) instead if you want to sound more positive.
Confucian influence on desires
Traditional Chinese culture often emphasizes '寡欲' (having few desires) as a virtue. This historical context influences how older generations view intense ambition.
Word Origin
The character '欲' combines '谷' (grain) and '欠' (to lack), implying the desire for food. Over time, it expanded to include all forms of wanting.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, the balance between 'desire' and 'contentment' (知足) is a central theme in Taoism and Buddhism. It teaches that excessive desires lead to suffering.
Memory Tip
Think of '欲' as a mouth (谷) needing more (欠), and '望' as looking ahead. Together, it's looking ahead with a hungry mouth.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions不一定。适度的欲望是进步的动力，能激励人不断进取；只有当欲望过度膨胀且失去控制时，才会带来负面影响。
欲望通常源于本能或即时的满足感，往往较为强烈且直接；而理想通常经过理性思考，具有长期性和社会价值，更偏向于自我实现。
可以，但听起来比较笼统。通常建议加上具体对象，例如“我有很强的求知欲”或“我有很强的表现欲”，这样表达会更自然。
根据心理学和哲学观点，完全消除欲望几乎是不可能的，因为它是生命力的一部分。更健康的策略是学会“克制”和“转化”欲望。
Test Yourself
他对自己的人生有着强烈的___，渴望在事业上取得巨大成功。
“欲望”最能体现那种强烈的、内在的驱动力。
“他努力控制自己的欲望”意味着：
控制欲望即自我管理，不让冲动主导行为。
物质 / 欲望 / 膨胀 / 导致 / 过度 / 压力 / 的
符合中文逻辑：主语+谓语+宾语。
Score: /3
Summary
Desire is the fundamental engine of human action, requiring both pursuit and discipline.
- A strong internal drive to possess or experience something.
- Can be physical needs or abstract mental goals.
- Often requires management to maintain a balanced life.
Use with specific objects
To sound more natural, pair '欲望' with specific nouns like '求知欲' (desire for knowledge) or '物质欲望' (material desire). This clarifies the nature of the desire.
Avoid negative connotations
Using '欲望' alone in a formal context can sometimes imply greed. Use '追求' (pursuit) instead if you want to sound more positive.
Confucian influence on desires
Traditional Chinese culture often emphasizes '寡欲' (having few desires) as a virtue. This historical context influences how older generations view intense ambition.
Examples
4 of 4他是一个没有物质欲望的人。
He is a person without material desires.
过度膨胀的欲望往往是失败的根源。
Excessive desires are often the root of failure.
我真的没什么购物欲望。
I really don't have any desire to shop.
该研究探讨了消费主义如何操控人类的欲望。
The study explores how consumerism manipulates human desires.
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.
