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A2 verb #8,500 most common 10 min read

增肥

zengfei Top 8,500

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 增肥 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 增肥 in your Level:

At the A1 level, '增肥' (zēngféi) is a useful word to understand the basic concept of changing one's body. Although beginners usually focus on '减肥' (lose weight) first, '增肥' is its direct opposite. You should learn it as a simple action: 'I want to gain weight' (我想增肥 - Wǒ xiǎng zēngféi). At this stage, don't worry about complex grammar. Just recognize that '增' means 'add' or 'increase' and '肥' means 'fat'. In simple sentences, it follows the subject. For example, '他太瘦了，他要增肥' (He is too thin, he needs to gain weight). This level focuses on identifying the word in spoken conversation and understanding that it relates to eating more to become bigger. You might hear it in a restaurant context where someone explains why they are ordering so much food. It's a 'goal' verb here. Think of it as a vocabulary building block that helps you describe physical needs and health goals in the simplest terms. You can also associate it with '胖' (pàng - fat), which you likely learned early on. While '胖' is the state, '增肥' is the action. Learning these two together helps you see how Chinese builds verbs from adjectives. By mastering this word at A1, you're building a foundation for discussing health and body image, which are very common topics in daily life.

At the A2 level, you begin to use '增肥' (zēngféi) in more structured sentences with basic conjunctions and modal verbs. You might use it with '因为' (yīnwèi - because) to explain a situation: '因为他身体不好，所以需要增肥' (Because his health is not good, he needs to gain weight). You can also start using time expressions, like '我打算下个月增肥' (I plan to gain weight next month). At A2, it's important to differentiate '增肥' from '变胖' (biàn pàng). '增肥' is usually something you *do* on purpose, while '变胖' is just something that *happens*. You will also encounter '增肥' in short reading passages about health or celebrities. You should be able to answer basic questions about why someone is gaining weight. For example, if a text says '为了拍电影，他增肥了十公斤' (To film a movie, he gained 10kg), you should understand the purpose (the movie) and the result (10kg). This level also introduces the idea of '增肥食谱' (weight gain recipes), helping you expand your food-related vocabulary. You are starting to see the word as part of a lifestyle or a plan, rather than just a standalone verb. Practice using it with '想' (want), '需要' (need), and '必须' (must) to express different levels of necessity. This will help you describe personal goals or medical advice more accurately in your daily Chinese practice.

At the B1 intermediate level, you should be comfortable using '增肥' (zēngféi) with various complements and in more nuanced social contexts. You can use resultative complements like '增肥成功' (successfully gained weight) or potential complements like '增得肥' (able to gain weight) and '增不了肥' (unable to gain weight). This is where the word becomes very useful for expressing frustration or achievement. For instance, '我怎么吃都增不了肥' (No matter how I eat, I can't gain weight) is a common sentiment you might express or hear. At B1, you should also understand the cultural nuance: while '肥' can be rude, '增肥' as a process is neutral. You might participate in discussions about body positivity or health trends where '增肥' is mentioned as a struggle for some, just as '减肥' is for others. You will also see '增肥' in more complex sentence structures involving '被' (passive) or '把' (disposal), although '把' is less common with this specific verb. You should be able to compare '增肥' with '增重' (zēngzhòng - gain weight) and '增肌' (zēngjī - gain muscle), choosing the right word based on whether the focus is on fat, total weight, or muscle. This level requires you to understand the word in professional contexts, such as a coach giving advice to an athlete or a doctor discussing nutrition with a patient. Your ability to use '增肥' in a paragraph describing a person's physical transformation over time is a key skill at this stage.

At the B2 level, your understanding of '增肥' (zēngféi) extends to its use in formal reports, news articles, and abstract discussions about society. You should be able to discuss the '增肥' phenomenon in the entertainment industry from a critical perspective—for example, the health risks actors take when they gain weight rapidly for a role. You will encounter the word in academic or semi-academic texts about public health, where it might be used to describe the treatment of clinical underweight conditions. At this level, you should be able to use '增肥' as a noun or part of a compound noun effortlessly, such as '增肥计划的实施' (the implementation of the weight-gain plan). You'll also notice its use in metaphorical or extended senses in some contexts, though it remains primarily physical. You should be able to use advanced connectors like '与其...不如...' (rather than... it's better to...) to give advice: '与其盲目增肥，不如科学增肌' (Rather than blindly gaining fat, it's better to gain muscle scientifically). Your vocabulary should also include related formal terms like '营养不良' (malnutrition) and '代谢' (metabolism). At B2, you are expected to understand the social implications of '增肥' in a society that increasingly values fitness, and how the term is used in marketing for high-calorie health supplements. You can accurately describe the process using professional terminology, such as '热量盈余' (caloric surplus).

At the C1 level, '增肥' (zēngféi) is a word you can use and understand in high-level discourse, including debates about body image, medical ethics, and cultural history. You should understand the historical evolution of the word and the concept of 'fatness' in China, from the Tang Dynasty's appreciation of fuller figures to the modern 'thinness' standard. You can analyze how '增肥' is portrayed in literature or film as a symbol of sacrifice, change, or even decadence. Your usage should be precise; you know exactly when to use '增肥' versus '丰腴' (fēngyú - pleasantly plump in a literary sense) or '膘' (biāo - fat on an animal, sometimes used humorously or colloquially for humans). You can discuss the physiological mechanisms of '增肥' in detail if needed, using terms like '脂肪组织' (adipose tissue) or '内分泌系统' (endocrine system). At C1, you can also pick up on the subtle irony or humor when '增肥' is used in non-standard ways. For example, if someone says they are '给钱包增肥' (fattening up their wallet), you understand the metaphor of making money. You are able to write comprehensive essays or give presentations on health topics where '增肥' is a central theme, integrating it with complex socio-economic factors. Your understanding of the word is no longer just about 'eating more' but about the entire biological and social construct of weight gain in a Chinese-speaking context.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like grasp of '增肥' (zēngféi) and all its subtle connotations. You can use it in any register, from the most casual slang to the most formal scientific or literary writing. You understand the deep cultural roots of the character '肥' and how it relates to concepts of fertility, earth, and wealth. You can navigate complex social situations where weight is a sensitive topic, knowing exactly how to use '增肥' without causing offense or sounding clinical. You might use it in creative writing to describe a character's internal struggle or physical journey with extreme precision. You are also aware of regional variations in how weight gain is discussed across the Sinosphere. In a professional capacity, you could translate complex medical or psychological texts about weight gain (such as those dealing with eating disorders) with perfect accuracy, choosing '增肥' or its formal equivalents based on the target audience. You understand the word's placement in the broader web of Chinese idioms and proverbs related to food and the body. At this level, your mastery is such that you can play with the word—using it in puns, metaphors, or sophisticated jokes that rely on its literal and figurative meanings. You can also critique the way '增肥' is used in media and advertising, identifying the underlying psychological triggers being targeted.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

增肥 in 30 Seconds

增肥 (zēngféi) is a Chinese verb meaning 'to gain weight' or 'to fatten up' through intentional effort.
It consists of two characters: 增 (increase) and 肥 (fat/fertile), commonly used for health or professional goals.
Unlike the accidental 'getting fat' (发胖), 增肥 usually refers to a planned process or medical requirement.
It is the direct antonym of 减肥 (lose weight) and is often heard in gyms and hospitals.

The Chinese word 增肥 (zēngféi) is a compound verb that literally translates to 'increase fat.' In a linguistic context, it refers to the intentional process of gaining weight, often for health, aesthetic, or professional reasons. Unlike the English term 'getting fat,' which often carries a negative or accidental connotation, 增肥 frequently implies a goal-oriented action. For instance, an athlete might need to 增肥 to move into a higher weight class, or a person who is naturally underweight might seek medical advice on how to 增肥 safely. The word consists of two characters: 增 (zēng), meaning to increase or augment, and 肥 (féi), which means fat or fertile. Interestingly, while 肥 is often used for animals or soil (meaning fertile), in the context of 增肥, it specifically targets the accumulation of body mass.

Linguistic Function: It acts as a separable verb in some contexts but is primarily used as a transitive or intransitive verb phrase describing the act of weight gain.

为了演好这个角色，他不得不短时间内增肥二十斤。

Translation: In order to play this role well, he had to gain twenty pounds in a short period of time.

In Chinese culture, the perception of weight has shifted significantly over the decades. Historically, a fuller figure was seen as a sign of prosperity and good health, leading to phrases like 发福 (fāfú)—literally 'gaining fortune'—to describe someone getting a bit heavier. While modern urban China largely follows global trends favoring slimness, 增肥 remains a common topic in health forums and medical discussions for those who struggle with being underweight. It is often contrasted with 减肥 (jiǎnféi), which means to lose weight. You will hear 增肥 in gyms when people discuss the 'bulking' phase of their training, or in hospitals when doctors treat patients with malnutrition or hyperthyroidism.

Medical Context: In traditional Chinese medicine, 增肥 might involve 'tonifying the spleen and stomach' (补脾胃) to improve nutrient absorption.

医生说我太瘦了，建议我多吃肉来增肥。

Translation: The doctor said I am too thin and suggested I eat more meat to gain weight.

Furthermore, the word is used in the entertainment industry frequently. Actors like Christian Bale or local Chinese stars often make headlines for their physical transformations. The term 增肥 captures the effort and discipline required to change one's body composition upward. It is not just about eating more; it is about the systematic increase of body mass. In social media, you might see hashtags like #增肥计划# (Weight Gain Plan), where users share high-calorie recipes and exercise routines designed to build muscle and fat simultaneously.

Gym Slang: While '增肌' (zēngjī) means gaining muscle, many beginners use '增肥' loosely to mean 'getting bigger'.

我怎么吃都不胖，真想知道增肥的秘诀。

Translation: No matter how much I eat I don't get fat; I really want to know the secret to gaining weight.

Using 增肥 correctly requires understanding its role as a verb that describes a process. It can be used as a simple verb, or it can be part of more complex structures involving results and intentions. Unlike some verbs that require a direct object, 增肥 is often used intransitively (the subject is the one gaining weight) or with a purpose clause. When you want to specify how much weight is gained, you usually use the structure 增肥 + [quantity] or 增重 + [quantity], though 增肥 is more focused on the 'fattening' aspect.

The 'Purpose' Structure: Commonly used with '为了' (wèile - for the sake of). Example: 为了健康增肥 (Gain weight for health).

他在休赛期决定增肥，以增强对抗力量。

Translation: He decided to gain weight during the off-season to increase his physical strength.

Another common usage is the potential complement. In Chinese, to say you 'can' or 'cannot' achieve the result of weight gain, you would say 增得肥 (can gain weight) or 增不了肥 (cannot gain weight). This is a very common way to express frustration about a high metabolism. Additionally, 增肥 can be used as a noun-like gerund in phrases like 增肥方法 (weight gain methods) or 增肥食谱 (weight gain recipes).

The 'Action-Process' Distinction: Compare '他在增肥' (He is trying to gain weight) with '他变胖了' (He has become fat).

这套增肥方案非常科学，适合消瘦人群。

Translation: This weight gain plan is very scientific and suitable for thin people.

In formal writing, such as medical reports, you might see 体重增加 (tǐzhòng zēngjiā - weight increase), but in everyday conversation and media, 增肥 is the go-to term. It is also important to note the negative form: 不想增肥 (don't want to gain weight). If you are eating a lot of cake and someone warns you, they might say '你会增肥的' (You will gain weight/fatten up), though '你会变胖的' is slightly more common in that specific warning context.

With Modal Verbs: Use '要' (yào - want/need to) or '想' (xiǎng - would like to) before 增肥.

如果想快速增肥，你需要摄入更多热量。

Translation: If you want to gain weight quickly, you need to consume more calories.

The term 增肥 is surprisingly common in various social and professional settings in China. One of the most frequent places you will encounter it is in the context of personal health and fitness. In gyms, while the ultimate goal for many is '增肌' (zēngjī - gain muscle), many people start with a '增肥' phase if they are starting from a very low body fat percentage. You will hear personal trainers say, '先增肥，再练肌肉' (Gain weight first, then train muscle). This reflects a common belief that one needs a surplus of mass to effectively build strength.

The Gym Environment: Conversations about 'bulk and cut' cycles often use 增肥 to describe the surplus phase.

他正在进行增肥训练，每天要吃六顿饭。

Translation: He is undergoing weight-gain training and has to eat six meals a day.

Another significant area is entertainment news. Chinese social media platforms like Weibo are often filled with stories about actors who had to undergo drastic physical changes for a role. Headlines like '某明星为戏增肥30斤' (A certain celebrity gained 30 pounds for a movie) are common. This usage emphasizes the professional dedication of the actor. In these contexts, 增肥 is treated as a task or a professional requirement, highlighting the 'effort' aspect of the word.

Family and Social Circles: Grandparents might tell their grandchildren they need to '增肥' because they look 'too thin' (太瘦了).

奶奶总是觉得我太瘦，一直想方设法让我增肥。

Translation: Grandma always thinks I'm too thin and is always trying to find ways to make me gain weight.

Lastly, medical and nutritional advice is a primary source of this word. On platforms like Zhihu (China's Quora) or Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), you will find thousands of posts under the topic '增肥'. People share '增肥干货' (solid weight-gain advice), discussing everything from protein powders to traditional soups (补汤). In a medical setting, a nutritionist might prescribe a '增肥饮食' (weight gain diet) for a patient recovering from surgery or suffering from a chronic illness that causes weight loss.

Online Communities: Threads like '瘦子增肥指南' (The Skinny Person's Guide to Gaining Weight) are very popular.

网络上有许多关于如何健康增肥的视频教程。

Translation: There are many video tutorials on the internet about how to gain weight healthily.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with 增肥 is confusing it with other 'increase' words or 'weight' words. A common error is using 增加 (zēngjiā - to increase) in place of 增肥 when talking about body weight. While you can say 增加体重 (increase body weight), you cannot simply say 增加 to mean 'get fat'. 增肥 is a specific, specialized verb for this purpose. Another mistake is using 增肥 to describe someone who has naturally or accidentally become fat. In that case, the correct term is 变胖了 (biàn pàng le) or 发胖了 (fā pàng le).

Mistake 1: Confusing Action with State: Don't say '他增肥了' if you just mean 'he is fat now'. Use '他胖了'. Use '增肥' for the *effort* of gaining.

错误：他最近增肥了。(Incorrect if accidental)
正确：他最近变胖了。

Note: The first sentence implies he did it on purpose.

Another common pitfall is the misuse of the character 肥 (féi). Learners often think 肥 and 胖 (pàng) are perfectly interchangeable. While they both relate to fatness, 肥 is more clinical or descriptive of animals (like 'fat meat' - 肥肉). Using 肥 to describe a person directly (e.g., '你好肥') is considered much more derogatory than '你好胖'. However, in the compound 增肥, it is perfectly neutral because it refers to the physiological substance being added to the body.

Mistake 2: Incorrect Resultative Complements: Learners often forget that '增肥' can be used with '到' to specify a target weight. Example: '增肥到60公斤'.

错误：我想要增肥十斤肉。(Redundant)
正确：我想要增重十斤 / 我想要增肥。

Note: While '增肥' works, specifying 'meat' (肉) is usually redundant or awkward.

Lastly, be careful with the word order. In English, we say 'gain weight'. In Chinese, the 'increase' (增) comes before the 'fat' (肥). Some students might try to say '肥增加', which is grammatically incorrect. Also, remember that 增肥 is usually a deliberate act. If you want to say you are gaining weight because you are eating too much junk food by accident, use 发胖. Confusing these two can make you sound like you are intentionally trying to get unhealthy when you aren't!

Mistake 3: Tone Misplacement: '增' is 1st tone (zēng), '肥' is 2nd tone (féi). Sliding the tones can change the meaning or make the word unrecognizable.

我最近压力大，结果发胖了。(Correct for accidental gain)
我为了比赛，正在努力增肥。(Correct for intentional gain)

Understanding the nuances between 增肥 and its synonyms will greatly improve your fluency. The most common alternative is 增重 (zēngzhòng). While they are often used interchangeably, 增重 (increase weight) is more neutral and scientific. It is the term you will see on scales or in athletic training programs where 'weight' is the metric, not necessarily 'fat'. If you are a bodybuilder gaining muscle, you are 增重 or 增肌, but you might not want to 增肥 (gain fat).

增肥 vs. 增重: 增肥: Focuses on body mass/fat, often used in personal or colloquial contexts.
增重: Focuses on the numerical weight, used in sports and medical contexts.

Another related term is 发胖 (fāpàng). This specifically refers to the process of becoming fat, usually as an unintended consequence of lifestyle or aging. If you say '我发胖了', it usually carries a tone of regret or observation. In contrast, 增肥 is more likely to be an active project. Then there is 变胖 (biàn pàng), which is a simple description of the change in state ('to become fat'). It is very common in daily conversation when noticing someone's physical change.

发胖 vs. 变胖: 发胖: Often implies a biological process or a trend ('I'm starting to get fat').
变胖: A more direct description of the result ('You've gotten fat').

与其盲目增肥，不如通过运动增肌。

Translation: Instead of blindly gaining fat, it's better to gain muscle through exercise.

For more formal or literary contexts, you might encounter 丰满 (fēngmǎn). This is an adjective meaning 'plump' or 'full-figured' and is considered a very complimentary way to describe someone who isn't thin. It suggests a healthy, attractive fullness. On the other hand, 臃肿 (yōngzhǒng) is a negative term meaning 'bloated' or 'unwieldy', often used to describe someone who has gained too much weight or is wearing too many clothes. Finally, 壮 (zhuàng) means 'strong' or 'sturdy'. Someone who has successfully '增肥' and then '增肌' might be described as 壮.

Summary Table

增肥: Intentional fattening.
增重: Gaining weight (neutral).
发胖: Getting fat (often accidental).
增肌: Gaining muscle.

他不是发胖，而是为了比赛在特意增肥。

Translation: He's not getting fat; he's intentionally gaining weight for the competition.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 肥 was originally used to describe the richness of soil or the fatness of sacrificial animals before it was commonly applied to human weight gain.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /zʌŋ feɪ/

US /zʌŋ feɪ/

The stress is equal on both syllables in Chinese, but the tones are key: 1st tone (high flat) for zēng and 2nd tone (rising) for féi.

Rhymes With

灯 (dēng) 层 (céng) 眉 (méi) 谁 (shéi) 杯 (bēi) 梅 (méi) 陪 (péi) 雷 (léi)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'zeng' as 'zen' (missing the 'g').
Pronouncing 'fei' as 'fee' (it should be 'fay').
Getting the tones wrong (using 4th tone for zeng).
Failing to rise enough on the 2nd tone of 'fei'.
Confusing 'zeng' with 'cheng'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize characters; 增 and 肥 are common A1/A2 characters.

Writing 3/5

Character '增' has many strokes (15) and requires careful practice.

Speaking 2/5

Simple two-syllable word, though the rising 2nd tone needs clarity.

Listening 2/5

Distinct sound, unlikely to be confused with many other common words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

胖 (pàng) 瘦 (shòu) 肉 (ròu) 吃 (chī) 多 (duō)

Learn Next

减肥 (jiǎnféi) 体重 (tǐzhòng) 健康 (jiànkāng) 营养 (yíngyǎng) 锻炼 (duànliàn)

Advanced

新陈代谢 (xīnchéndàixiè) 营养不良 (yíngyǎng bùliáng) 体脂率 (tǐzhī lǜ) 卡路里 (kǎlùlǐ) 蛋白质 (dànbáizhì)

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements

他增肥成功了。(He successfully gained weight.)

Potential Complements

我增不了肥。(I cannot gain weight.)

Directional Complements

他瘦得太厉害，必须增肥回来。(He got too thin, must gain weight back.)

Quantity Complements

他增肥了三公斤。(He gained three kilograms.)

Prepositional Phrases with 为了

为了演戏，他增肥了。(For the sake of acting, he gained weight.)

Examples by Level

我想增肥。

I want to gain weight.

Subject + 想 (want) + 增肥 (verb).

他太瘦了，要增肥。

He is too thin; he needs to gain weight.

Use '太...了' to describe a state before the action.

多吃肉可以增肥。

Eating more meat can help gain weight.

Subject (eating meat) + 可以 (can) + 增肥.

我不喜欢增肥。

I don't like gaining weight.

Negative form: 不 + 喜欢 + 增肥.

你怎么增肥？

How do you gain weight?

Use '怎么' to ask about the method.

增肥很难吗？

Is it hard to gain weight?

Simple question with '吗'.

我们要一起增肥。

We want to gain weight together.

'一起' (together) comes before the verb.

这个药能增肥。

This medicine can help gain weight.

'能' indicates capability.

为了健康，他必须增肥。

For his health, he must gain weight.

Use '为了... (for the sake of)' as a purpose clause.

我每天吃五顿饭来增肥。

I eat five meals a day to gain weight.

Action + '来' + Purpose (增肥).

他增肥了五公斤。

He gained five kilograms.

Verb + '了' (completed) + Quantity.

医生建议我多喝牛奶增肥。

The doctor suggested I drink more milk to gain weight.

Suggest (建议) + someone + do something.

如果你太瘦，就去增肥吧。

If you are too thin, then go gain some weight.

If (如果)... then (就) structure.

这套增肥计划很有用。

This weight gain plan is very useful.

'增肥' acts as an adjective for '计划'.

他在短时间内增肥了。

He gained weight in a short time.

Time phrase + Verb + 了.

增肥不只是吃零食。

Gaining weight isn't just about eating snacks.

'不只是' (not only/just) structure.

无论怎么吃，我都增不了肥。

No matter how much I eat, I can't gain weight.

Potential complement '增不了肥' (unable to gain).

他为了演戏成功增肥了三十斤。

He successfully gained 30 pounds for his acting role.

Adverb '成功' (successfully) + Verb.

如果你想增肥，就得注意营养均衡。

If you want to gain weight, you must pay attention to balanced nutrition.

'就得' (then must) shows necessity.

增肥的过程比我想象的要慢。

The process of gaining weight is slower than I imagined.

Comparison using '比...要...'.

他并不想变胖，他只是想增肥一点。

He doesn't want to get fat; he just wants to gain a little weight.

Contrast between '变胖' (get fat) and '增肥' (gain weight).

医生给他开了一些增肥的药。

The doctor prescribed him some weight-gain medication.

Attributive phrase '增肥的' (weight-gaining).

只要坚持锻炼，增肥并不难。

As long as you keep exercising, gaining weight isn't hard.

'只要... (as long as)' structure.

他的增肥计划终于见效了。

His weight gain plan finally showed results.

'见效' (to take effect/show results).

有些演员为了艺术牺牲健康去增肥。

Some actors sacrifice their health to gain weight for art.

Complex sentence with '牺牲...去...' (sacrifice... to...).

盲目增肥可能会导致各种健康问题。

Blindly gaining weight might lead to various health problems.

Use '导致' (to lead to/cause) for negative results.

由于代谢太快，他一直处于增肥失败的状态。

Due to a fast metabolism, he has been in a state of weight-gain failure.

'由于... (due to)' showing cause.

增肥与增肌之间存在着本质的区别。

There is an essential difference between gaining weight and gaining muscle.

'与...之间' (between A and B) structure.

在某些文化中，增肥被视为富有的象征。

In some cultures, gaining weight is seen as a symbol of wealth.

Passive structure with '被视为' (is regarded as).

他正在寻找一种科学且健康的增肥方式。

He is looking for a scientific and healthy way to gain weight.

Using '且' (and) to connect adjectives.

长期服用这种药物会导致非意愿性增肥。

Long-term use of this medicine can cause unintended weight gain.

Formal term '非意愿性' (unintended).

该营养师专门研究消瘦人群的增肥问题。

This nutritionist specializes in the weight-gain issues of thin people.

'专门研究' (specialize in researching).

这种病理性的消瘦，仅靠增肥是无法解决的。

This pathological thinness cannot be solved by weight gain alone.

'仅靠...是无法...' (relying only on... is unable to...).

媒体对明星增肥的过度关注反映了社会的审美焦虑。

The media's excessive focus on celebrities gaining weight reflects society's aesthetic anxiety.

Complex subject phrase ending in '关注' (focus).

在文学作品中，增肥往往象征着人物性格的某种转变。

In literary works, gaining weight often symbolizes a certain transformation in a character's personality.

Abstract usage: '象征' (symbolize).

通过调整内分泌来达到增肥的目的，需要极其谨慎。

Using endocrine adjustment to achieve the goal of weight gain requires extreme caution.

'通过...来达到...的目的' (Through... to achieve the goal of...).

他对此项增肥实验的数据进行了严密的逻辑分析。

He conducted a rigorous logical analysis of the data from this weight-gain experiment.

'对...进行分析' (conduct analysis on...).

这种增肥补品在市场上的泛滥引发了监管部门的注意。

The proliferation of these weight-gain supplements in the market has caught the attention of regulatory authorities.

'泛滥' (proliferation/overflowing) + '引发' (trigger).

他试图通过增肥来掩盖自己内心深处的自卑感。

He tried to hide his deep-seated inferiority complex by gaining weight.

'试图通过...来掩盖...' (Attempt to hide... by...).

增肥并非易事，它涉及到复杂的生物学机制。

Gaining weight is no easy task; it involves complex biological mechanisms.

'并非易事' (is by no means an easy task).

这种极端的增肥行为，无异于对身体的一种慢性摧残。

This extreme weight-gaining behavior is tantamount to a chronic destruction of the body.

'无异于' (is no different from/tantamount to).

他将增肥的过程记录下来，编纂成一部探讨身体政治的著作。

He recorded the process of gaining weight and compiled it into a work exploring body politics.

'将...记录下来' (record... down) structure.

在这一语境下，‘增肥’被赋予了某种超越生理层面的哲学意义。

In this context, 'weight gain' is endowed with a philosophical meaning that transcends the physiological level.

'被赋予了' (is endowed with).

尽管他竭力增肥，但那股由内而外的枯槁感依然挥之不去。

Despite his best efforts to gain weight, the sense of haggardness from within still lingered.

'竭力' (strive with all might) + '挥之不去' (cannot be brushed away).

该议案旨在通过改善公共营养，而非单纯鼓励增肥，来提升国民素质。

The proposal aims to improve national quality by enhancing public nutrition rather than simply encouraging weight gain.

'旨在...而非...' (aims to... rather than...).

他对于‘增肥’一词的巧妙运用，体现了其深厚的文字功底。

His clever use of the word 'zengfei' reflects his profound literary skill.

'体现了' (reflects/embodies).

那种为了迎合畸形审美而强行增肥的做法，着实令人唏嘘。

The practice of forcing weight gain to cater to deformed aesthetics is truly sigh-inducing.

'令人唏嘘' (causes one to sigh in grief/regret).

增肥背后的心理动机，往往比生理需求更为错综复杂。

The psychological motives behind weight gain are often more intricate than physiological needs.

'错综复杂' (intricate and complex).

Common Collocations

增肥计划

科学增肥

成功增肥

被迫增肥

增肥食谱

快速增肥

增肥方法

努力增肥

增肥药

健康增肥

Common Phrases

增肥容易减肥难

— It's easy to gain weight but hard to lose it. A common lament about body management.

真是增肥容易减肥难啊，我才吃几天就胖了。

疯狂增肥

— To gain weight frantically or at an extreme pace. Often used in media headlines.

为了角色，他开始疯狂增肥。

盲目增肥

— To gain weight blindly without a scientific plan or consideration for health.

盲目增肥可能会导致肠胃问题。

增肥成功

— To have successfully achieved a weight gain goal.

恭喜你增肥成功，现在看起来精神多了。

需要增肥

— To have a requirement or need to gain weight, often for health reasons.

体检报告显示我需要增肥。

想方设法增肥

— To try every possible way to gain weight.

他想方设法增肥，但效果不佳。

增肥不少

— To have gained a significant amount of weight.

过个年回来，你增肥不少啊。

停止增肥

— To stop the process of gaining weight.

达到目标体重后，他停止了增肥。

增肥过程

— The entire duration or procedure of gaining weight.

在增肥过程中，他保持了运动。

拒绝增肥

— To refuse to gain weight, often used in aesthetic contexts.

很多模特为了身材，坚决拒绝增肥。

Often Confused With

增肥 vs 增加

增加 is 'to increase' in general (numbers, quality). You can't say '增加人' to mean someone is gaining weight.

增肥 vs 发胖

发胖 is usually unintentional or a natural process. 增肥 is usually a deliberate effort.

增肥 vs 肥沃

肥沃 means fertile (soil), and while it uses the same 'fei', it's an adjective, not a verb.

Idioms & Expressions

"心宽体胖"

— Fit and happy; carefree and stout. Describes someone whose peace of mind leads to physical fullness.

他退休后心宽体胖，增肥了不少。

Neutral/Complimentary

"肥马轻裘"

— Fat horses and light furs. Describes a luxurious and wealthy lifestyle.

他过着肥马轻裘的生活，自然不愁增肥。

Literary

"挑肥拣瘦"

— To choose the fat and pick the lean. To be fastidious or choosy about work or things.

在找工作时，不能挑肥拣瘦。

Colloquial

"肥水不流外人田"

— Don't let the fertile water flow into others' fields. Keep the benefits within the family.

这个好机会我们要留给自己，肥水不流外人田。

Common

"燕瘦环肥"

— Slender like Zhao Feiyan or plump like Yang Guifei. Describes different types of beauty.

燕瘦环肥，各有各的美感。

Literary

"满脑肥肠"

— A brain full of fat and intestines. Describing a wealthy person who is stupid and gluttonous.

那个满脑肥肠的家伙只知道吃。

Derogatory

"肥头大耳"

— Fat head and large ears. Often describes a prosperous look, but can be derogatory.

他长得肥头大耳的，一看就很有福气。

Neutral/Informal

"脑满肠肥"

— Similar to 满脑肥肠, describing someone who lives luxuriously but is idle and stupid.

他不学无术，整天过着脑满肠肥的生活。

Derogatory

"越减越肥"

— The more you try to lose weight, the fatter you get. A common joke about failed diets.

我最近越减越肥，真是太痛苦了。

Colloquial

"丰衣足食"

— Abundant food and clothing. Living in plenty.

经过努力，他们过上了丰衣足食的日子。

Literary

Easily Confused

增肥 vs 增重

Both mean gain weight.

增重 is neutral and focuses on weight; 增肥 focuses on fat and is more colloquial.

运动员需要增重，但不一定要增肥。

增肥 vs 增肌

Both involve getting bigger.

增肌 is gaining muscle; 增肥 is gaining fat.

他去健身房是为了增肌，不是增肥。

增肥 vs 变胖

Both describe getting bigger.

变胖 is a change of state (to become fat); 增肥 is the action/process.

由于没有运动，他变胖了。

增肥 vs 肥胖

Same root character.

肥胖 is a noun or adjective meaning 'obese' or 'obesity'.

肥胖对身体有害。

增肥 vs 减肥

Opposite meaning, same second character.

减肥 is to lose weight; 增肥 is to gain weight.

她想减肥，而我想增肥。

Sentence Patterns

S + 想 + 增肥

我想增肥。

S + 为了 + Purpose + 增肥

他为了健康增肥。

S + 怎么也 + 增不了 + 肥

他怎么也增不了肥。

S + 增肥了 + Quantity

她增肥了十斤。

与其...不如 + 增肥

与其吃药，不如靠饮食增肥。

S + 被 + 建议 + 增肥

我被医生建议增肥。

通过...达到增肥的目的

他通过多吃肉达到增肥的目的。

增肥无异于...

这样增肥无异于自残。

Word Family

Nouns

肥肉 (féiròu) - fat meat

肥料 (féiliào) - fertilizer

肥胖症 (féipàngzhèng) - obesity

Verbs

增加 (zēngjiā) - to increase

增产 (zēngchǎn) - to increase production

减肥 (jiǎnféi) - to lose weight

Adjectives

肥 (féi) - fat/loose (clothing)

肥沃 (féiwò) - fertile (soil)

肥美 (féiměi) - plump and delicious

体重 (tǐzhòng) - body weight

热量 (rèliàng) - calories

营养 (yíngyǎng) - nutrition

消瘦 (xiāoshòu) - thin/wasted

身材 (shēncái) - figure/stature

How to Use It

frequency

Very common in health, fitness, and entertainment contexts.

Common Mistakes

Using '增加' for body weight. → 使用 '增肥' 或 '增重'。
'增加' needs an object like '体重'. You can't just say '他增加了' to mean he got fat.
Saying '你好肥' to a friend. → 说 '你变胖了' (if you must) or '你看起来更健康了'。
'肥' used as an adjective for people is rude. '增肥' as a verb is fine.
Confusing '增肥' with '减肥'. → 增肥 = Gain; 减肥 = Lose.
The first character is the key. '增' (increase) vs '减' (decrease).
Using '增肥' for muscle gain in a professional setting. → 使用 '增肌'。
Professional athletes care about muscle (肌), not just fat (肥).
Forgetting the '了' in completed actions. → 他增肥了五斤。
Chinese verbs need '了' to show the completion of the weight gain process.

Tips

Use with '了'

When the weight gain has already happened, always add '了' after '增肥'. Example: '他增肥了' (He has gained weight).

Pair with '瘦'

Learn '瘦' (thin) alongside '增肥'. If someone is '太瘦', they usually need to '增肥'.

Understand 'Fuqi'

Remember that in China, older people might suggest you 'zengfei' as a compliment or out of care.

Rising Tone

Make sure the second syllable 'fei' rises clearly, or it might sound like 'fei' (4th tone), which means 'waste' (废).

Stroke Order

Practice the stroke order of '增' carefully. It's a complex character but very common.

Zengfei vs. Fapang

Use '增肥' for goals and '发胖' for accidents. This shows a high level of language awareness.

Gym Context

In the gym, if you want to sound like an expert, use '增肌' for muscle and '增肥' only if you specifically mean fat.

Key Syllable

If you hear 'fei', and the topic is health, it's almost certainly related to weight (增肥, 减肥, or 肥胖).

Metaphorical Use

Watch for '增肥' used with money or bank accounts in creative writing.

The 'Add Fat' Rule

Just remember: Zeng = Add, Fei = Fat. It's one of the most literal compounds in Chinese.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Zeng' as 'Adding' (like a Zen master adding wisdom) and 'Fei' sounds like 'Fat'. Zeng-Fei = Adding Fat.

Visual Association

Imagine a scale where someone is adding heavy 'Z' shaped blocks to one side to make it go down.

Word Web

增肥减肥肥肉肥胖增加增重增肌肥料

Challenge

Try to use '增肥' in a sentence today to describe a pet or a character in a movie who needs to get bigger.

Word Origin

The character 增 (zēng) is a phono-semantic compound where '土' (earth) suggests building up or adding, and '曾' provides the sound. 肥 (féi) consists of '月' (flesh/body) and '巴' (originally a snake, but here providing the sound/form). Together they literally mean 'to increase the flesh'.

Original meaning: Increasing the fat or fleshiness of an organism.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Avoid using '肥' (féi) as an adjective for a person to their face. Always use '增肥' as the process or '胖' as a softer adjective.

In English-speaking cultures, 'fattening up' is often viewed negatively or humorously, whereas 'gaining weight' is the neutral medical term.

Yang Guifei - The famous Tang Dynasty consort known for her 'plump' beauty. Christian Bale - Often cited in Chinese media for his 'zengfei' transformations. The movie 'Love on a Diet' (瘦身男女) - A classic HK film about weight change.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Fitness/Gym

增肥增肌
增肥计划
先增肥再塑形
增肥餐

Medical/Health

需要增肥
增肥药物
健康增肥
如何有效增肥

Celebrity News

为戏增肥
短时间内增肥
疯狂增肥
增肥后的样子

Family/Casual

帮你增肥
太瘦要增肥
增肥容易
不想增肥

Agriculture (Alternative)

给土地增肥
牲畜增肥
增肥饲料
秋季增肥

Conversation Starters

"你觉得增肥比减肥更难吗？"

"如果你需要为了一部电影增肥二十斤，你会愿意吗？"

"你身边有没有那种怎么吃都增不了肥的人？"

"你认为最健康的增肥方法是什么？"

"在你的文化里，增肥通常被看作是好事还是坏事？"

Journal Prompts

写一段关于你为了健康而尝试增肥或减肥的经历。

讨论一下媒体是如何报道明星增肥这件事的。

如果你是一个营养师，你会给想要增肥的人什么建议？

想象一个必须通过增肥来完成任务的间谍故事。

谈谈你对‘心宽体胖’这个成语的理解。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '增肥' is a neutral verb describing a process. However, calling someone '肥' (fat) directly can be very offensive. Use '增肥' to talk about the goal of gaining weight without worry.

增重 (zēngzhòng) is more formal and refers to the number on the scale. 增肥 (zēngféi) is more common in daily life and specifically refers to adding body mass/fat.

Technically, no. For muscle gain, use '增肌' (zēngjī). However, in casual talk, some people use '增肥' to mean getting bigger in general.

You can say '我增不了肥' (Wǒ zēng bù liǎo féi) or '我怎么吃都不胖' (Wǒ zěnme chī dōu bù pàng).

Yes, it can be used for livestock (like pigs or cattle) to describe the process of fattening them up for market.

Generally no, but it can be used metaphorically, like '给钱包增肥' (fattening the wallet/making money).

It is neutral. In very formal medical papers, '体重增加' (weight increase) is preferred.

The opposite is 减肥 (jiǎnféi), which means to lose weight.

'肥' refers to the substance (fat/flesh) while '胖' is the adjective for the person. 增肥 is 'increasing the fat'.

It sounds redundant. Just '增肥' or '长肉' is better.