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B1 adjective #4,000 most common 14 min read

奢侈

shēlì Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 奢侈 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 奢侈 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that '奢侈' (shēchǐ) means 'very expensive' or 'too much.' You might hear it when someone is talking about a very fancy car or a big house. Think of it as 'Super Rich Style.' At this stage, you don't need to worry about the moral nuances. Just remember the phrase '太奢侈了!' (Tài shēchǐ le!), which you can use when you see something that looks like it costs a million dollars. It's a great way to express surprise at high prices. You will mostly see it in the context of shopping and money. For example, 'This bag is 奢侈.' It's a big word for a beginner, but it helps you understand why some things are so expensive in China. Focus on the sound: 'shē' (like 'she') and 'chǐ' (like 'ch' in 'church' but with a different vowel).

At the A2 level, you can start using '奢侈' to describe lifestyles and habits. You should know the phrase '奢侈品' (shēchǐpǐn), which means 'luxury goods.' This is very useful when you go shopping in big Chinese cities. You can also use it to describe a gift that is a bit too fancy: '这个礼物太奢侈了.' At this level, you are beginning to understand that 奢侈 is more than just 'expensive'—it's about items that aren't necessary for daily life. You might use it in simple comparisons, like 'My life is simple, his life is 奢侈.' You should also be able to recognize it in simple advertisements or store signs. It’s an adjective, so remember to use '的' if you put it before a noun, like '奢侈的衣服' (luxurious clothes).

At the B1 level, you should understand the dual meaning of '奢侈'—both 'luxurious' and 'wasteful.' You can use it to discuss social issues or personal values. For instance, you might talk about whether it's '奢侈' to eat at a fancy restaurant every day. You should also be able to use the word metaphorically. For a busy student, 'sleeping late' (睡懒觉) can be a '奢侈的事情.' This shows you understand the concept of scarcity. You will encounter this word in news headlines about the economy or celebrity gossip. You should also start learning its synonyms like '豪华' (háohuá) and understand that 奢侈 is slightly more critical. You can now use it in more complex sentence structures, like 'Although he is rich, he doesn't like a 奢侈 life.'

At the B2 level, you should be able to use '奢侈' in formal discussions about consumerism, economics, and traditional Chinese values. You should understand the historical context—how the Chinese government and society view '奢侈之风' (the trend of luxury). You can distinguish between '奢侈' (wasteful/luxury) and '奢华' (elegant luxury). You might use it in an essay to argue against '奢侈浪费' (luxury and waste). You should also be comfortable with common collocations like '生活奢侈' (live luxuriously) or '追求奢侈' (pursue luxury). You can understand the irony when people use it on social media. Your vocabulary should now include related terms like '挥霍' (huīhuò - to squander) to provide more detail when discussing 奢侈 behaviors.

At the C1 level, you can use '奢侈' to analyze literary texts or philosophical concepts. You understand the deep-seated cultural tension between '节俭' (frugality) and '奢侈.' You can use the word to describe the 'moral decadence' of a character in a novel or the 'excessive nature' of an era. You are familiar with idioms and classical references related to extravagance, such as '穷奢极欲' (extremely extravagant and hedonistic). You can use '奢侈' as a noun in complex phrases like '极尽奢侈之能事' (doing everything possible to be luxurious). Your usage should reflect a high degree of nuance, knowing exactly when to use 奢侈 to imply a critique of social inequality or environmental impact. You can also engage in high-level business discussions about the 'luxury market positioning.'

At the C2 level, '奢侈' is a tool for subtle social commentary and sophisticated expression. You can use it to discuss the sociological implications of luxury in a globalized world. You understand how the word's meaning has shifted from ancient sumptuary laws to modern capitalist desire. You can write academic papers or give speeches using the term to describe abstract states of existence, such as 'the luxury of silence in a noisy world' or 'the luxury of moral clarity.' You are aware of the most obscure synonyms and can use the word with perfect register, whether in a formal government document or a high-brow literary critique. You can interpret the word's use in various dialects and historical periods, understanding how it reflects the changing soul of Chinese society.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

奢侈 in 30 Seconds

奢侈 (shēchǐ) is a Chinese adjective meaning 'luxurious' or 'wasteful,' used to describe expensive items, extravagant lifestyles, or the act of overspending on non-essentials.
It is the root of '奢侈品' (shēchǐpǐn), the standard term for luxury goods, and is frequently used in both positive marketing and negative moral critiques.
In daily conversation, it can be used metaphorically to describe rare or precious experiences, such as having 'luxury time' to rest amidst a busy schedule.
Culturally, it stands in opposition to '节俭' (frugality), reflecting a historical and modern tension between material desire and the social virtue of moderation.

The Chinese word 奢侈 (shēchǐ) is a multifaceted adjective that translates primarily to 'luxurious' or 'wasteful.' It is a word that carries significant cultural weight in China, balancing between the admiration of high-quality, high-status items and the traditional Confucian disapproval of excess. When you encounter this word, you are looking at something that is far beyond the basic necessities of life. It describes a state of being or a quality of an object that is characterized by great expense, rarity, and often, a degree of unnecessary indulgence. In the modern Chinese linguistic landscape, 奢侈 is most commonly seen in the compound 奢侈品 (shēchǐpǐn), which refers to luxury goods like designer handbags, high-end watches, and sports cars. However, its usage extends far beyond just shopping. It can describe a lifestyle, a single event, or even an abstract concept like time or silence.

Material Extravagance: This is the most literal use of the word. It refers to items that cost a significant amount of money and are intended to show status. For example, a gold-plated smartphone would be described as 奢侈. In this context, it is often neutral or slightly positive in a commercial sense, but can be negative if the speaker feels the person is showing off (炫富 xuànfù).
Behavioral Wastefulness: When used to describe behavior, 奢侈 often has a negative connotation. If someone throws away perfectly good food or spends their entire paycheck on a single night out, a Chinese speaker might say they are being 奢侈. Here, it translates more closely to 'wasteful' or 'profligate.' It implies a lack of self-control and a disregard for the virtue of 节俭 (jiéjiǎn, frugality).
Abstract Rarity: In a more poetic or metaphorical sense, 奢侈 describes things that are 'too good to be true' or rare treats. For a busy CEO, 'having a full hour to read a book' might be a 奢侈的事情 (a luxurious thing). This usage highlights the scarcity of the experience rather than its monetary value.

对于很多打工人来说，睡个懒觉都是一种奢侈。(For many workers, sleeping in is a kind of luxury.)

To understand 奢侈, you must understand the characters. 奢 (shē) is composed of 大 (big) and 者 (person/thing), suggesting someone trying to appear 'big' or important. 侈 (chǐ) is composed of 亻 (person) and 多 (much), suggesting a person who has too much or does too much. Together, they form a powerful image of excess. In ancient China, there were strict sumptuary laws that dictated what people of different social ranks could wear or own. Violating these laws by being too 奢侈 could lead to severe punishment. While those laws are gone, the social pressure to avoid being seen as 'wastefully 奢侈' remains in many circles, especially in government and traditional families.

这种奢侈的生活方式，普通人很难想象。(This kind of luxurious lifestyle is hard for ordinary people to imagine.)

In business contexts, 奢侈 is a neutral term used to categorize markets. The 'Luxury Goods Industry' is the 奢侈品行业 (shēchǐpǐn hángyè). Marketing professionals focus on the 'aspirational' side of 奢侈, associating it with quality, craftsmanship, and exclusivity. However, in political discourse, you will often hear calls to '反对奢侈浪费' (oppose luxury and waste), particularly regarding official banquets and public spending. This dual nature makes 奢侈 a very dynamic word to use in conversation.

虽然他很有钱，但他从不奢侈。(Even though he is rich, he is never wasteful/extravagant.)

Social Media Usage: On platforms like Little Red Book (Xiaohongshu), 奢侈 is often used in tags to showcase high-end fashion. It’s a keyword for 'luxury life' (奢侈生活).
Daily Grievances: In daily life, people use it to complain about prices. '喝一杯五十块的咖啡对我来说太奢侈了' (Drinking a 50-yuan coffee is too luxurious/extravagant for me).

在沙漠里，水就是最奢侈的东西。(In the desert, water is the most luxurious thing.)

In summary, 奢侈 is not just about money; it is about the relationship between what we have and what we actually need. It captures the tension between the desire for the finest things in life and the cultural imperative to remain grounded and sensible. Whether you are discussing the latest fashion trends in Paris or the simple joy of a quiet afternoon, 奢侈 provides the perfect linguistic tool to express the concept of 'extraordinary excess.'

Using 奢侈 (shēchǐ) correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an adjective and its semantic nuances. In Chinese, adjectives can often function as predicates without the word 'to be' (是), but they are frequently modified by adverbs of degree like 很 (hěn), 太 (tài), or 非常 (fēicháng). Let's explore the various ways to integrate this word into your vocabulary, ranging from basic descriptions to complex social critiques.

Describing Objects and Lifestyles: The most common structure is [Noun] + [Adverb] + 奢侈. For example, '他的生活很奢侈' (His life is very luxurious). You can also use it as an attributive adjective before a noun: '奢侈的礼物' (A luxurious gift). Notice the use of '的' (de) to connect the adjective to the noun.
Using '太...了' for Emphasis: In spoken Chinese, '太奢侈了!' is a very common exclamation. It can mean 'That's so luxurious!' in a positive way, or 'What a waste!' in a negative way, depending on the tone of voice and context. If you see someone buying a diamond-encrusted dog collar, you might say '这太奢侈了!'

买这么贵的表，对他来说太奢侈了。(Buying such an expensive watch is too luxurious for him.)

Another important usage is in the compound noun 奢侈品 (shēchǐpǐn). This is the standard term for luxury goods. You will see this on store signs, in magazines, and in economic reports. If you want to talk about 'luxury brands,' you say 奢侈品牌 (shēchǐ pǐnpái). When using these terms, the focus is purely on the commercial and status-related aspects of the word.

We also see 奢侈 used in more formal, written contexts to describe societal trends. For instance, '奢侈之风' (the trend of luxury/extravagance) is a common phrase in news articles discussing consumer behavior or government corruption. Here, the word takes on a more critical tone, suggesting that society as a whole is becoming too focused on material wealth at the expense of traditional values.

我们应当抵制奢侈浪费的行为。(We should resist behaviors of luxury and waste.)

In a comparative sense, you can use 奢侈 to contrast different living standards. '比起他以前的生活，现在简直太奢侈了' (Compared to his previous life, now is simply too luxurious). The word '简直' (jiǎnzhí - simply/at all) is often paired with 奢侈 to emphasize the starkness of the luxury being described.

Negative Constructions: To say something is not luxurious, you use '不奢侈' (bù shēchǐ). For example, '他的生活一点也不奢侈' (His life is not luxurious at all). This is often a compliment in Chinese culture, implying the person is humble and frugal.
Conditional Usage: You can use 奢侈 with '如果' (rúguǒ - if). '如果你觉得这太奢侈，我们可以换一个便宜的' (If you think this is too luxurious, we can change to a cheaper one).

他把所有的钱都花在了奢侈品上。(He spent all his money on luxury goods.)

Finally, let's look at the emotional or psychological use of 奢侈. Sometimes, 奢侈 describes a feeling of guilt associated with pleasure. '在大家都在工作的时候去旅游，感觉有点奢侈' (To go traveling while everyone else is working feels a bit luxurious/indulgent). This usage perfectly captures the nuanced Chinese perspective on work and leisure, where indulgence is often viewed through the lens of collective responsibility.

对他来说，全家团聚就是最大的奢侈。(For him, a family reunion is the greatest luxury.)

The word 奢侈 (shēchǐ) is ubiquitous in modern Chinese society, appearing in settings ranging from high-end shopping malls to political speeches and casual dinner table conversations. Understanding where you will hear it will help you grasp its different 'registers'—the levels of formality and emotion associated with the word.

High-End Retail and Fashion: If you walk through the Sanlitun district in Beijing or the Nanjing Road in Shanghai, you will see '奢侈品' (Luxury Goods) everywhere. It’s used in advertising to create a sense of exclusivity and prestige. Sales associates will use it to describe the craftsmanship of a product: '这是一件非常奢侈的艺术品' (This is a very luxurious piece of art).
News and Media Reports: In the news, 奢侈 often appears in a critical context. You might hear reporters talking about '奢侈浪费现象' (the phenomenon of luxury and waste), especially during the Chinese New Year when excessive banqueting is common. The government frequently issues '禁令' (prohibitions) against '奢侈之风' (the trend of luxury) among officials.

媒体批评了这种奢侈的婚礼。(The media criticized this luxurious wedding.)

Social media is perhaps the most vibrant place for this word. On platforms like Weibo and Douyin (TikTok), influencers often post videos of '奢侈生活' (luxury life). Conversely, users often use the word self-deprecatingly. A student might post a picture of a bowl of instant noodles with an egg and caption it: '加个蛋，真奢侈!' (Adding an egg, how luxurious!). This ironic usage is a common form of humor among young people in China.

In business and economics, 奢侈 is a technical term. You will hear analysts discussing the '奢侈品市场' (luxury goods market) and how it's affected by global economic trends. They might talk about '奢侈品消费' (luxury consumption) and its role in the domestic economy. In this context, the word is completely neutral and serves as a category label.

中国已经成为全球最大的奢侈品消费市场之一。(China has become one of the world's largest luxury goods consumption markets.)

In a family setting, you might hear 奢侈 used by older generations to caution younger ones. A grandmother might say, '现在的生活太奢侈了，要记得节约' (Life now is too luxurious, remember to save). This reflects the generational gap between those who lived through times of scarcity and those who have grown up in China's era of rapid economic growth. For the older generation, 奢侈 is often synonymous with 'wasteful' and 'forgetting one's roots.'

Literature and Art: In novels and films, 奢侈 is used to set the scene. A writer might describe a character's '奢侈的宅邸' (luxurious mansion) to instantly convey their social standing and personality—often implying they are detached from the struggles of everyday people.
Travel and Tourism: Travel agencies often use the word to sell '奢侈游' (luxury tours). These tours promise high-end hotels, private guides, and exclusive experiences, using the word to justify a higher price point.

对我这个穷学生来说，坐头等舱太奢侈了。(For a poor student like me, flying first class is too luxurious.)

Whether it's the '奢侈品' in a window display or the '奢侈的时间' spent with a loved one, the word is a constant reminder of the value we place on things and experiences. It is a word that invites judgment, admiration, and reflection all at once.

Learning to use 奢侈 (shēchǐ) correctly requires navigating some common pitfalls. English speakers often struggle with its specific connotations and its relationship with similar words like 'expensive' or 'magnificent.' Here are the most frequent mistakes to avoid.

Confusing 奢侈 with 贵 (guì): While luxury items are usually expensive, 奢侈 and 贵 are not interchangeable. '贵' simply refers to price. A bottle of medicine might be '贵' (expensive), but it is rarely '奢侈' (luxurious), because medicine is a necessity. 奢侈 implies that the high price is for something non-essential or for status.
Confusing 奢侈 with 华丽 (huálì): '华丽' means 'magnificent,' 'gorgeous,' or 'ornate.' It describes the visual appearance. A sunset or a traditional costume can be 华丽, but they aren't necessarily 奢侈. 奢侈 focuses on the economic value and the act of spending, whereas 华丽 focuses on the aesthetic beauty.

错误：这件药很奢侈。 (Wrong: This medicine is luxurious.)
正确：这件药很贵。 (Correct: This medicine is expensive.)

Another mistake is overusing the word in a positive sense. In English, 'luxury' is almost always positive (e.g., 'a luxury spa'). In Chinese, however, 奢侈 often carries a hint of moral disapproval. If you tell a Chinese friend their lifestyle is '很奢侈,' they might take it as a criticism of their spending habits rather than a compliment on their success. To be safe, use '豪华' (háohuá) or '高级' (gāojí) if you want to give a pure compliment.

Grammatically, students often forget to use '的' when 奢侈 modifies a noun. You cannot say '奢侈生活'; it must be '奢侈的生活.' Also, remember that 奢侈 is an adjective, not a verb. You cannot '奢侈 your money.' You must say '挥霍金钱' (huīhuò jīnqián - squander money) or '过着奢侈的生活' (living a luxurious life).

错误：他奢侈了很多钱。 (Wrong: He luxuried a lot of money.)
正确：他花钱很大手大脚，非常奢侈。 (Correct: He spends money very freely, very luxurious/wasteful.)

Finally, be careful with the word '浪费' (làngfèi - waste). While 奢侈 can mean wasteful, 浪费 is the direct word for wasting resources like time, water, or electricity. 奢侈 is used specifically when the waste involves high-end, expensive things or a lifestyle of excess. You wouldn't call leaving the lights on '奢侈,' you would call it '浪费.'

Register Errors: Using 奢侈 in a very casual setting to describe something cheap but nice might sound strange unless it's clearly ironic. For example, don't say a 5-yuan snack is 奢侈 unless you are making a joke about being broke.
Collocation Errors: Students often pair 奢侈 with the wrong verbs. It's '追求奢侈' (pursuing luxury), not '做奢侈' (doing luxury).

虽然这间屋子很简陋，但对他来说，能有个睡觉的地方已经很奢侈了。(Although this room is simple and crude, for him, having a place to sleep is already a luxury.)

By avoiding these common errors, you will be able to use 奢侈 with the precision of a native speaker, capturing both its material and moral dimensions accurately.

To truly master the concept of 奢侈 (shēchǐ), it's helpful to compare it with its synonyms and related terms. Each of these words has a slightly different 'flavor' and is used in different contexts. Here is a breakdown of the most common alternatives.

豪华 (háohuá) vs. 奢侈: '豪华' means 'grand' or 'magnificent.' It is almost always positive. You use it to describe a 5-star hotel (豪华酒店) or a fancy car (豪华轿车). While 奢侈 focuses on the cost and the potential waste, 豪华 focuses on the impressive quality and scale. If you want to compliment someone's house, say '你的家很豪华' rather than '你的家很奢侈.'
奢华 (shēhuá) vs. 奢侈: '奢华' is very similar to 奢侈 but is more elegant and less likely to be used negatively. It combines 'luxury' (奢) with 'magnificence' (华). It is the preferred word in high-end advertising and fashion magazines. It suggests a 'tasteful luxury' rather than 'wasteful luxury.'
阔绰 (kuòchuò) vs. 奢侈: '阔绰' describes a person's spending style. If someone tips heavily or always buys the best of everything without looking at the price, they are '出手阔绰' (generous/extravagant in spending). 奢侈 describes the thing or the lifestyle, while 阔绰 describes the generous (sometimes overly so) manner of spending.

这家餐厅的装修非常豪华，但价格并不算太奢侈。(The decoration of this restaurant is very grand, but the price is not considered too luxurious/wasteful.)

For more negative contexts, you might use 奢靡 (shēmí). This word specifically describes a decadent, wasteful, and often immoral lifestyle. It is often used in historical contexts to describe the fall of dynasties or in modern critiques of corruption. If 奢侈 is 'expensive/wasteful,' 奢靡 is 'decadent/sinful.'

On the opposite side, we have words like 节俭 (jiéjiǎn) and 朴素 (pǔsù). '节俭' means frugal or thrifty, and is a highly respected virtue in China. '朴素' means simple or unadorned. If someone lives a 奢侈 life, they are the opposite of someone who lives a 朴素 life. Understanding these opposites helps you see where 奢侈 fits on the social and moral spectrum.

我们要发扬节俭的传统，反对奢侈。(We should carry forward the tradition of frugality and oppose luxury/waste.)

In a professional or technical setting, you might use 高档 (gāodàng). This literally means 'high grade' or 'top shelf.' It’s used for products: '高档住宅' (high-end housing), '高档酒' (premium liquor). It’s more objective than 奢侈 and doesn't carry the emotional baggage of 'wastefulness.'

Summary Comparison: 奢侈: Focus on cost/waste (Often slightly negative).
豪华: Focus on grandeur/scale (Almost always positive).
奢华: Focus on elegant luxury (Positive/Marketing).
高档: Focus on quality/grade (Objective/Neutral).
奢靡: Focus on decadence (Very negative).

By choosing the right word from this list, you can convey exactly what you mean—whether it's admiration for a beautiful hotel or a stern warning against wasting resources.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In the Han Dynasty, 奢侈 was a legal offense for certain classes. There were specific rules about how many horses you could have or what colors you could wear. Being 奢侈 could literally get you in trouble with the Emperor!

Pronunciation Guide

UK [ʂɤ⁵⁵ ʈʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴]

US [ʂɤ⁵⁵ ʈʂʰʐ̩²¹⁴]

In Chinese, both syllables are usually given equal weight, but the 3rd tone on 'chǐ' makes it sound longer.

Rhymes With

车 (chē) 奢 (shē) 尺 (chǐ) 喜 (xǐ) 理 (lǐ) 米 (mǐ) 体 (tǐ) 纸 (zhǐ)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shē' with a rising tone like 'shé' (snake).
Pronouncing 'chǐ' as 'chee' like in 'cheese' (the Chinese 'i' after 'ch' is different).
Forgetting the aspiration on 'chǐ' (it needs a puff of air).
Mixing up the tones, making it sound like 'shèchì'.
Treating it as a single syllable.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The characters are somewhat complex but common in news and media.

Writing 4/5

奢 and 侈 are difficult to write from memory for beginners.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you know Pinyin, but tones are important.

Listening 2/5

Very distinctive sound in Mandarin.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

贵钱生活浪费买

Learn Next

豪华节俭消费品牌追求

Advanced

靡费阔绰挥霍穷奢极欲奢靡

Grammar to Know

Adjective + 的 + Noun

奢侈的礼物 (A luxurious gift)

Degree Adverb + Adjective

非常奢侈 (Very luxurious)

太...了 for Exclamations

太奢侈了！ (Too luxurious!)

对比 (Contrast)

他虽然很有钱，但并不奢侈。

Noun acting as Predicate

休息是一种奢侈。

Examples by Level

这个包很奢侈。

This bag is very luxurious.

Subject + Adverb + Adjective

他不奢侈。

He is not wasteful/luxurious.

Negative construction using '不'

太奢侈了！

Too luxurious! / What a waste!

Exclamatory structure '太...了'

奢侈的汽车。

A luxurious car.

Adjective + 的 + Noun

奢侈品很贵。

Luxury goods are very expensive.

奢侈品 is a compound noun.

这是一件奢侈的事。

This is a luxurious thing.

Using 奢侈 as an adjective for an abstract 'thing' (事).

你太奢侈了。

You are too luxurious/wasteful.

Addressing someone directly.

我不喜欢奢侈。

I don't like luxury/waste.

奢侈 acting as the object of the verb 喜欢.

她买了很多奢侈品。

She bought many luxury goods.

Standard S-V-O structure.

过奢侈的生活需要很多钱。

Living a luxurious life needs a lot of money.

Using '过...的生活' (live a ... life).

对他来说，这太奢侈了。

For him, this is too luxurious.

Using '对...来说' (for someone).

那个酒店非常奢侈。

That hotel is very luxurious.

Describing a place.

奢侈的晚餐。

A luxurious dinner.

Noun phrase.

别这么奢侈。

Don't be so luxurious/wasteful.

Imperative sentence using '别'.

他在奢侈品牌工作。

He works at a luxury brand.

Using 奢侈品牌 as a compound noun.

这种衣服太奢侈，我不穿。

This kind of clothes is too luxurious, I don't wear them.

Topic-comment structure.

在沙漠里，喝水是一种奢侈。

In the desert, drinking water is a luxury.

奢侈 acting as a noun 'a luxury'.

我们不应该追求奢侈的生活。

We should not pursue a luxurious life.

Using the verb '追求' (pursue).

他花钱很大方，甚至有点奢侈。

He spends money generously, even a bit wastefully.

Using '甚至' (even) for emphasis.

这种浪费是非常奢侈的。

This kind of waste is very luxurious/extravagant.

Linking waste (浪费) with 奢侈.

奢侈并不总是好事。

Luxury is not always a good thing.

Abstract subject.

虽然他有钱，但他生活并不奢侈。

Although he is rich, his life is not luxurious.

Using '虽然...但...' (although... but...).

由于经济危机，人们减少了奢侈品的消费。

Due to the economic crisis, people reduced the consumption of luxury goods.

Using '由于' (due to) and '消费' (consumption).

对我来说，能休息一天就是奢侈。

For me, being able to rest for a day is a luxury.

Metaphorical use for time/rest.

这种奢侈之风在年轻人中很流行。

This trend of luxury is very popular among young people.

Using '奢侈之风' (trend/wind of luxury).

媒体批评了那些奢侈浪费的官员。

The media criticized those luxurious and wasteful officials.

Using 奢侈 as a modifier for people.

我们要抵制奢侈，提倡节俭。

We should resist luxury and promote frugality.

Formal contrast between 奢侈 and 节俭.

奢侈品行业在近年来发展迅速。

The luxury goods industry has developed rapidly in recent years.

Technical term '奢侈品行业'.

他过着穷奢极欲的生活。

He lives a life of extreme luxury and hedonism.

Using the idiom '穷奢极欲'.

奢侈的包装往往掩盖了产品的不足。

Luxurious packaging often hides the product's deficiencies.

Describing packaging.

他认为这种消费是一种奢侈的浪费。

He considers this consumption to be a luxurious waste.

Combining 奢侈 and 浪费.

在那个时代，拥有书籍也是一种奢侈。

In that era, owning books was also a luxury.

Historical context.

这种极尽奢侈的婚礼引发了社会争议。

This extremely luxurious wedding triggered social controversy.

Using '极尽' (to the extreme).

在这个喧嚣的世界，宁静成了一种奢侈。

In this noisy world, tranquility has become a luxury.

Poetic/Abstract usage.

他那奢侈的品味体现在每一个细节中。

His luxurious taste is reflected in every detail.

Describing 'taste' (品味).

奢侈不仅是物质的，更是精神上的放纵。

Luxury is not only material, but also spiritual indulgence.

Philosophical construction.

政府颁布了限制奢侈消费的法令。

The government issued decrees to limit luxury consumption.

Formal administrative language.

奢侈的生活方式往往伴随着巨大的压力。

A luxurious lifestyle is often accompanied by great pressure.

Sociological observation.

她那奢侈的想象力让她的作品独具一格。

Her luxurious (rich/extravagant) imagination makes her work unique.

Positive metaphorical use for 'richness'.

我们必须反思这种奢侈的文明模式。

We must reflect on this luxurious (resource-heavy) model of civilization.

Global/Civilizational context.

奢侈在某种意义上是文明过剩的产物。

In a sense, luxury is the product of civilizational surplus.

Academic/Philosophical tone.

他那文字中流露出的奢侈感，令人叹为观止。

The sense of luxury (richness) emanating from his writing is breathtaking.

Literary criticism.

奢侈与匮乏往往是硬币的两面。

Luxury and scarcity are often two sides of the same coin.

Abstract metaphor.

这种对奢侈的病态追求导致了价值观的扭曲。

This pathological pursuit of luxury has led to a distortion of values.

Critical sociological analysis.

在有限的资源下，任何浪费都是不可原谅的奢侈。

Under limited resources, any waste is an unforgivable luxury.

Environmental ethics.

奢侈品的功能性早已让位于其符号价值。

The functionality of luxury goods has long given way to their symbolic value.

Semiotic analysis.

他以一种近乎奢侈的姿态挥霍着他的才华。

He squandered his talent with an almost luxurious (extravagant) gesture.

Metaphorical character description.

对真理的追求，有时被视为一种奢侈的智力游戏。

The pursuit of truth is sometimes regarded as a luxurious intellectual game.

High-level abstract thought.

Synonyms

华丽豪奢浪费奢华挥霍

Antonyms

节俭朴素简陋

Common Collocations

奢侈品

奢侈的生活

太奢侈了

奢侈浪费

追求奢侈

奢侈品牌

一种奢侈

极尽奢侈

奢侈之风

奢侈消费

Common Phrases

奢侈品店

— A luxury goods store. Used when shopping.

他在奢侈品店买了一个包。

奢侈税

— Luxury tax. A tax on non-essential items.

政府提高了奢侈税。

奢侈的愿望

— A luxurious wish. A dream that seems impossible or too good.

环游世界是他奢侈的愿望。

生活奢侈

— Living luxuriously. Describes someone's daily habits.

由于生活奢侈，他欠了很多债。

奢侈的装饰

— Luxurious decorations. Used for interior design.

房间里充满了奢侈的装饰。

奢侈的享受

— Luxurious enjoyment. A high-end experience.

泡温泉是一种奢侈的享受。

奢侈的习惯

— Luxurious habits. Often implies bad spending habits.

他有很多奢侈的习惯。

奢侈的代价

— The price of luxury. The cost or consequence of excess.

他付出了奢侈的代价。

奢侈的想象

— Luxurious/Rich imagination. A creative compliment.

这位作家的想象力非常奢侈。

奢侈的排场

— A luxurious show/extravaganza. Usually for events.

他喜欢讲究奢侈的排场。

Often Confused With

奢侈 vs 贵

贵 is just price; 奢侈 is about the nature of the expense and waste.

奢侈 vs 华丽

华丽 is visual beauty; 奢侈 is economic excess.

奢侈 vs 浪费

浪费 is general waste; 奢侈 is high-end waste or lifestyle.

Idioms & Expressions

"穷奢极欲"

— Extremely extravagant and hedonistic. Describes a person who indulges in every luxury.

那个昏庸的皇帝过着穷奢极欲的生活。

Formal/Literary

"骄奢淫逸"

— Arrogant, extravagant, and debauched. Very negative, usually for corrupt people.

由于骄奢淫逸，他的家业很快就败光了。

Formal/Critical

"奢侈成性"

— Luxurious by nature. Describes someone who cannot stop wasting money.

他奢侈成性，没钱也要买名牌。

Informal

"纸醉金迷"

— A life of luxury and dissipation. Literally 'paper drunk and gold bewildered.'

大都市里充满了纸醉金迷的诱惑。

Literary

"灯红酒绿"

— The scene of feasting and revelry. Describes nightlife and luxury.

他沉溺于灯红酒绿的生活中。

Neutral/Literary

"挥金如土"

— To spend money like dirt. Describes extreme extravagance.

为了赢得她的欢心，他挥金如土。

Informal/Vivid

"一掷千金"

— To stake a thousand gold pieces on one throw. Reckless spending.

他在赌场里一掷千金，毫不心疼。

Literary

"珠围翠绕"

— Surrounded by pearls and jade. Describes a woman dressed in great luxury.

晚宴上的她珠围翠绕，十分夺目。

Literary

"锦衣玉食"

— Brocade clothes and jade meals. Living in great luxury.

他从小锦衣玉食，不知道生活的艰辛。

Formal/Literary

"食不重味"

— Not eating food of two different flavors. The opposite of 奢侈 (Frugality).

这位清官生活简朴，食不重味。

Classical

Easily Confused

奢侈 vs 豪华

Both mean luxurious.

豪华 is positive and describes grandeur; 奢侈 can be negative and describes cost/waste.

豪华酒店 (Positive) vs. 奢侈浪费 (Negative)

奢侈 vs 奢华

Both start with 奢.

奢华 is more elegant and used in marketing; 奢侈 is more common in daily and critical speech.

奢华生活 (Fashionable) vs. 奢侈生活 (Expensive/Wasteful)

奢侈 vs 高档

Both mean high-end.

高档 is an objective measure of quality; 奢侈 is a more subjective measure of excess.

高档手机 (Quality) vs. 奢侈手机 (Excessive gold plating)

奢侈 vs 名贵

Both imply high value.

名贵 means famous and expensive (like a rare plant); 奢侈 is about the act of owning it.

名贵的药材 (Rare) vs. 奢侈的生活 (Extravagant)

奢侈 vs 阔绰

Both involve spending.

阔绰 is a style of spending money generously; 奢侈 is the state of the lifestyle itself.

出手阔绰 (Spending style) vs. 奢侈无度 (Limitless luxury)

Sentence Patterns

这是奢侈的 [Noun]。

这是奢侈的汽车。

[Noun] 太奢侈了。

这个包太奢侈了。

[Action] 是一种奢侈。

睡觉是一种奢侈。

虽然...但并不奢侈。

虽然他很有钱，但并不奢侈。

抵制奢侈之风。

我们要抵制奢侈之风。

过着...的生活。

他过着奢侈的生活。

极尽奢侈之...。

极尽奢侈之能事。

...成了一种奢侈。

沉默成了一种奢侈。

Word Family

Nouns

奢侈品

奢侈度

奢侈性

Verbs

奢侈 (rarely used as a verb)

奢靡

Adjectives

奢侈

奢华

奢靡

浪费

豪宅

名牌

挥霍

节俭

How to Use It

frequency

Common in media, shopping, and social critique.

Common Mistakes

Using 奢侈 for necessary expensive things. → Using 贵.
Medicine is 贵, not 奢侈.
Saying '我奢侈钱'. → 我挥霍钱 or 我过着奢侈的生活.
奢侈 is an adjective, not a verb.
Using 奢侈 as a compliment for a house. → 使用豪华.
奢侈 can sound like you're calling them wasteful.
Forgetting the 'de' in 奢侈的包. → 奢侈的包.
Adjectives need 'de' before nouns.
Confusing 奢侈 with 浪费 in all contexts. → Using 浪费 for small things like water.
Leaving a light on is 浪费, not 奢侈.

Tips

Use for Products

Always use 奢侈品 when talking about brands like Gucci or Prada.

Face and Luxury

Understand that owning 奢侈 items is a common way to show status in China.

The 'de' Particle

Remember to say 奢侈的生活, not just 奢侈生活.

Emphasis

Use '太奢侈了' to express shock at a high price tag.

Avoid Judgement

Use 豪华 if you want to be purely positive about someone's wealth.

Character radicals

Note the 'Person' radical in 侈 (chǐ).

Market terminology

In business, the luxury sector is the 奢侈品行业.

Abstract usage

Use it for rare joys, like 'a luxury of peace and quiet.'

奢华 vs 奢侈

Use 奢华 for beauty/elegance and 奢侈 for cost/waste.

Traditional Virtue

Remember that 节俭 is the traditional hero, and 奢侈 is the traditional villain.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'She' (奢) has 'Much' (侈) more than she needs. She is 奢侈.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing on a giant pile of gold coins (大/者) while many other people (人/多) watch. This is the essence of 奢侈.

Word Web

奢侈品名牌贵浪费豪车生活追求抵制

Challenge

Try to use 奢侈 in three different ways today: once for a product, once for a person's habit, and once for a rare experience like 'luxury time.'

Word Origin

The word 奢侈 dates back to ancient Chinese texts. The character 奢 (shē) combines 大 (big) and 者 (one who), implying a person who acts larger than they are. The character 侈 (chǐ) combines 亻 (person) and 多 (much), indicating a person who possesses too much.

Original meaning: To exceed the limits of one's social rank through dress, food, or housing.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 奢侈 to describe a friend's purchase; it might sound like you are calling them wasteful. Use '高级' or '好看' instead.

English speakers often view 'luxury' as purely positive, but in Chinese, 奢侈 frequently implies a lack of discipline.

The 'Anti-Extravagance' (八项规定) policy in China. The movie 'Tiny Times' (小时代) which was criticized for its 奢侈 lifestyle. Ancient poems criticizing the 奢侈 of the fallen Tang Dynasty.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Shopping Mall

奢侈品柜台
名牌包
打折吗
太贵了

Social Media

炫富
奢侈生活
网红打卡
真羡慕

Business Meeting

奢侈品市场分析
高端客户
品牌定位
消费趋势

Family Dinner

别太浪费
省点钱
这个太奢侈
过日子

News Report

反对铺张浪费
奢侈之风
廉洁自律
社会风气

Conversation Starters

"你觉得买奢侈品是浪费钱吗？ (Do you think buying luxury goods is a waste of money?)"

"对你来说，生活中最奢侈的事情是什么？ (For you, what is the most luxurious thing in life?)"

"你喜欢奢侈的生活还是简单的生活？ (Do you like a luxurious life or a simple life?)"

"为什么现在很多年轻人喜欢买奢侈品？ (Why do many young people like to buy luxury goods now?)"

"你认为休息是一种奢侈吗？ (Do you think resting is a luxury?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你觉得很奢侈的经历。 (Describe an experience you felt was very luxurious.)

讨论奢侈品对现代社会的影响。 (Discuss the impact of luxury goods on modern society.)

你认为一个人应该如何平衡奢侈与节俭？ (How do you think a person should balance luxury and frugality?)

如果有一百万，你会过什么样的奢侈生活？ (If you had a million, what kind of luxurious life would you lead?)

写一写你对‘奢侈的时间’的看法。 (Write about your views on 'luxury time.')

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. In the context of '奢侈品' (luxury goods), it is neutral. However, in daily life, it often implies that something is 'too much' or 'wasteful.' For example, calling a meal 奢侈 might mean you think it was unnecessarily expensive.

Yes! This is a very common metaphorical use. You can say '奢侈的时间' (luxury time) to mean precious time that you usually don't have, like a quiet morning for a busy parent.

贵 (guì) only means high price. A hospital bill can be 贵, but it's not 奢侈 because it's necessary. 奢侈 implies the item is a non-essential indulgence.

The standard term is '奢侈品' (shēchǐpǐn).

In modern Chinese, it is almost exclusively an adjective. To express the action of being luxurious, you would say '过着奢侈的生活' (living a luxurious life) or '挥霍' (squandering).

It can be both. '太奢侈了' is informal, while '抵制奢侈浪费' is very formal.

The most common opposites are '节俭' (frugal) and '朴素' (simple).

Be careful. If you say '你的生活很奢侈,' they might think you are judging them. Use '豪华' or '高级' for a clearer compliment.

It means the 'trend of luxury' or 'extravagant social climate.' It's often used in news reports criticizing society's focus on money.

奢 has 大 (big) on top and 者 on bottom. 侈 has 亻 (person) on the left and 多 (many) on the right.