Use 'shēn'ào' to describe something profound and difficult to comprehend.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes things that are difficult to understand.
- Implies deep meaning or complexity.
- Often used in academic or philosophical contexts.
Overview
深奥 (shēn'ào) 是一个形容词，用来描述事物（如理论、思想、艺术作品、道理等）的内涵非常深邃，不容易被一般人理解。它强调的是一种深度和复杂性，需要学习者付出更多的努力去探索和领悟。
深奥通常用作谓语、定语或补语。它可以用来形容抽象的概念，也可以用来形容具体的作品或现象，但侧重点始终在于其难以理解的深度。例如，我们可以说“这部哲学著作太深奥了”，或者“他讲的道理很深奥”。
这个词常见于讨论哲学、科学、艺术、宗教、文学评论等需要深度思考和专业知识的领域。在日常生活中，有时也会用来形容某些人说话或做事的方式比较难以捉摸，但这种用法相对较少。
与“深刻 (shēnkè)”相比，深奥更侧重于“难以理解”的层面，而深刻更侧重于“影响深远”或“触及本质”的层面。例如，一个道理可以很深刻，但未必深奥；而一个理论可能很深奥，但其现实意义（深刻性）有待探讨。与“复杂 (fùzá)”相比，复杂强调的是组成部分的众多或结构的多样，而深奥强调的是内涵的深度和理解的难度。
Examples
这部小说的象征意义非常深奥，需要反复品读才能体会。
academicThe symbolic meaning of this novel is very profound and requires repeated reading to appreciate.
他讲的那些关于宇宙起源的理论太深奥了，我听得云里雾里。
informalThose theories he talked about regarding the origin of the universe are too abstruse; I couldn't understand them at all.
古老的哲学思想往往蕴含着深奥的智慧。
formalAncient philosophical thoughts often contain profound wisdom.
对于初学者来说，量子力学可能显得有些深奥。
academicFor beginners, quantum mechanics might seem somewhat recondite.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
道理深奥
principles are profound
意义深奥
meaning is profound
理论深奥
theory is abstruse
Often Confused With
深刻 emphasizes impact or penetration (e.g., a deep impression, profound understanding), while 深奥 focuses on being difficult to understand due to complexity or depth.
复杂 means complicated or intricate, focusing on the number of parts or steps involved. 深奥 refers specifically to the depth of meaning and the difficulty in grasping it.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
深奥 is generally used in more formal or academic contexts when discussing complex subjects. It implies a level of intellectual challenge. While it can be used informally, it's less common than words like 'difficult' or 'complicated'. Be mindful that calling something 'shēn'ào' can sometimes imply it's beyond the speaker's own immediate grasp.
Common Mistakes
Learners might confuse 深奥 with 深刻. Remember, 'shēnkè' relates to impact or depth of insight, while 'shēn'ào' is about being hard to understand. Avoid using 深奥 for simple everyday things; it's reserved for concepts, theories, or art with significant depth.
Tips
Grasp the 'hard to understand' aspect
Remember that 深奥 primarily focuses on the difficulty in comprehending something due to its depth or complexity.
Avoid overuse in casual talk
While usable for people, be cautious using 深奥 casually to describe someone's personality; it might sound overly critical or pretentious.
Value of depth in Chinese culture
Chinese culture often values depth and subtlety. Understanding 深奥 helps appreciate discussions on profound topics and complex art forms.
Word Origin
The character 深 (shēn) means 'deep', referring to depth in water or figuratively in thought. 奥 (ào) originally meant 'inner room' or 'mystery', implying something hidden or complex. Together, they vividly convey the idea of profoundness that is difficult to penetrate.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, there's a traditional appreciation for depth, subtlety, and wisdom that isn't immediately apparent. Expressing ideas in a 'shēn'ào' manner can sometimes be seen as a sign of intellectual sophistication, though clarity is also highly valued.
Memory Tip
Imagine a deep, dark well (深) that is mysterious and hard to figure out (奥). It takes effort to understand what lies at the bottom.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions深奥 (shēn'ào) 强调的是难以理解的深度，而深刻 (shēnkè) 强调的是影响的深远或触及本质。一个东西可能很深刻但不深奥，也可能很深奥但不一定深刻。
可以，但相对少见。通常是说某人的思想、言论或行为方式比较难以理解，带有一定的神秘感或高深莫测的意味。
最常用于讨论哲学、科学、艺术、宗教等需要专业知识和深入思考的领域，用来形容相关的理论、思想或作品。
深奥的反义词可以是“浅显 (qiǎnxiǎn)”或“肤浅 (fūqiǎn)”，指内容简单、容易理解。
Test Yourself
这位哲学家的思想体系非常______，不是一般人能轻易理解的。
句意是说这位哲学家的思想难以理解，符合‘深奥’的含义。
“深奥”最贴切的意思是：
深奥强调的是内容上的深度和理解上的难度。
组成句子：深奥 / 的 / 道理 / 难以 / 理解
“深奥的道理”是主语部分，“难以理解”是谓语部分，符合句子结构。
Score: /3
Summary
Use 'shēn'ào' to describe something profound and difficult to comprehend.
- Describes things that are difficult to understand.
- Implies deep meaning or complexity.
- Often used in academic or philosophical contexts.
Grasp the 'hard to understand' aspect
Remember that 深奥 primarily focuses on the difficulty in comprehending something due to its depth or complexity.
Avoid overuse in casual talk
While usable for people, be cautious using 深奥 casually to describe someone's personality; it might sound overly critical or pretentious.
Value of depth in Chinese culture
Chinese culture often values depth and subtlety. Understanding 深奥 helps appreciate discussions on profound topics and complex art forms.
Examples
4 of 4这部小说的象征意义非常深奥，需要反复品读才能体会。
The symbolic meaning of this novel is very profound and requires repeated reading to appreciate.
他讲的那些关于宇宙起源的理论太深奥了，我听得云里雾里。
Those theories he talked about regarding the origin of the universe are too abstruse; I couldn't understand them at all.
古老的哲学思想往往蕴含着深奥的智慧。
Ancient philosophical thoughts often contain profound wisdom.
对于初学者来说，量子力学可能显得有些深奥。
For beginners, quantum mechanics might seem somewhat recondite.
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学术性
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学术期刊
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教务处
A2Academic affairs office; department handling educational administration.
