Esta página no seu idioma

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

中文

हिन्दी

B2 adjective 9 min de leitura

知足

zhīzú

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas 知足 em 30 segundos

Explicação 知足 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you can think of '知足' (zhī zú) as a way to say you are 'happy with what you have.' Even though it is a B2 word, the basic idea is simple. It is like saying 'I am happy' because you don't need more toys or more food. You might use it in a very simple sentence like '我很知足' (I am very content). It is a good word to learn early because it helps you express a positive feeling about your life without needing many complicated words. Just remember: it's not just 'happy' (高兴), it's a special kind of 'happy' that means 'I have enough.'

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the A2 level, you can start to use '知足' (zhī zú) to describe people's personalities. You might say someone is a '知足的人' (a content person). You can also use it to give simple advice to friends, like '你应该知足' (You should be content). This level is about moving beyond just yourself and using the word to describe the world around you. You will also start to see the negative form, '不知足' (not content/greedy), which is useful for talking about characters in stories or people who are never happy with their gifts.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B1 level, you should understand the difference between '知足' and '满意' (satisfied). You are now using '知足' in more complex sentences with conjunctions like '虽然...但是...' (Although... but...). For example, '虽然他赚的钱不多，但他很知足' (Although he doesn't earn much money, he is very content). You are beginning to understand that '知足' is a state of mind, not just a reaction to a single event. You might also learn the common phrase '知足常乐' (contentment brings happiness) as a useful proverb for your speaking exams.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the B2 level, which is the target level for this word, you should be able to discuss the philosophical and cultural nuances of '知足.' You can use it to talk about social issues, such as the pressure of modern life and the importance of mental health. You should be comfortable using it in various grammatical structures, such as '对...感到知足' or '知足于现状.' You understand that '知足' can sometimes be seen as a lack of ambition in a professional context, and you can navigate these subtle social meanings in conversation. You can also distinguish it from '满足' in formal writing.

At the C1 level, you can use '知足' in academic or literary discussions. You might explore its roots in Taoism (Laozi) and how it contrasts with Western consumerist values. You can use it in more sophisticated idiomatic expressions and understand its role in classical Chinese literature (though in modern form). Your usage is precise: you know exactly when '知足' is a virtue and when it might be used ironically to describe someone who has given up. You can write essays about the 'Happiness Index' and use '知足' as a key psychological metric.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of '知足.' You can appreciate the nuances of the word in classical poetry and philosophical texts. You understand how the concept has evolved over thousands of years of Chinese history. You can use the word with perfect register, whether you're giving a formal speech on ethics or writing a nuanced piece of fiction. You can discuss the dialectical relationship between '知足' (contentment) and '进取' (ambition) with the ease of a native speaker, using the word to reflect deep cultural wisdom.

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

知足 em 30 segundos

A psychological state of knowing when enough is enough.
Rooted in Taoist philosophy as a path to eternal happiness.
Used to describe character, give advice, or express gratitude.
Contrasted with greed (贪心) and distinguished from situational satisfaction (满意).

The term 知足 (zhī zú) is a profound philosophical concept in Chinese culture that transcends a simple feeling of being 'happy.' At its linguistic core, it is composed of two characters: 知 (zhī), meaning 'to know' or 'to realize,' and 足 (zú), meaning 'enough' or 'sufficient.' Therefore, to be 知足 is to possess the wisdom of knowing when you have enough. It is the antithesis of greed and the psychological antidote to the modern 'treadmill of desire.' While the English word 'contentment' captures much of its essence, 知足 carries a specific cultural weight rooted in Taoist and Buddhist thought, suggesting that peace is found not in the acquisition of more, but in the recognition of the sufficiency of the present.

Philosophical Origin: The concept is famously articulated in the Tao Te Ching by Laozi, who wrote, 'There is no greater sin than desire; there is no greater misfortune than not knowing how to be content (不知足).' In this context, 知足 is a survival strategy for the soul.

他虽然并不富有，但过得很知足。 (Although he is not rich, he lives very contentedly.)

People use this word most frequently in contexts involving lifestyle choices, financial status, and personal relationships. It is often used as an adjective to describe a person's character or as a verb-like state of being. When someone is constantly chasing after the latest technology or higher social status, a friend might advise them to 知足. It functions as both a compliment (describing someone as humble and peaceful) and a piece of moral advice (encouraging someone to stop being greedy).

In modern society, 知足 is frequently contrasted with the competitive nature of 'involution' (内卷). As young professionals in China face increasing pressure, the term has seen a resurgence in 'lying flat' (躺平) subcultures, though in a more traditional sense, it represents a balanced middle path rather than total resignation. It is about finding the 'sweet spot' where one's desires meet reality without causing internal friction.

Linguistic Register: It is a neutral to formal term. While you can use it in casual conversation, it often carries a reflective or slightly didactic tone. It is very common in written literature, self-help articles, and family discussions.

人要学会知足，才能获得真正的快乐。 (One must learn to be content to obtain true happiness.)

Ultimately, 知足 is about the 'Internal Locus of Control.' It suggests that happiness is not a product of external accumulation but an internal decision to recognize the value of what is already present. It is the realization that 'enough' is a feast.

Using 知足 (zhī zú) correctly requires understanding its role as a stative verb/adjective. In Chinese, it doesn't need the verb 'to be' (是) when preceded by an intensifier like 很 (hěn). You would say '我很知足' (I am very content), not '我是知足'. This is a common hurdle for English speakers.

Pattern 1: Subject + (Degree Adverb) + 知足: This is the simplest way to describe a state of mind. Common intensifiers include 十分, 非常, 挺. Example: '他对自己现在的生活感到非常知足。' (He feels very content with his current life.)

你已经有这么好的工作了，该知足了。 (You already have such a good job; you should be content.)

The negative form is 不知足 (bù zhī zú), which translates to being 'insatiable' or 'never satisfied.' This is often used as a mild criticism. For instance, if a child gets a new toy but immediately wants another, a parent might say, '你真是个不知足的孩子' (You really are an insatiable child).

Pattern 2: 知足 + 常乐 (The Fixed Idiom): The most common four-character phrase using this word is 知足常乐 (zhī zú cháng lè), meaning 'contentment brings constant happiness.' It is used as a standalone proverb or a life philosophy. Example: '我爷爷常说，知足常乐。' (My grandfather often says that contentment brings happiness.)

Another important usage is in comparisons. You can say '比上不足，比下有余' (not as good as those above, but better than those below), which is the logical foundation for 知足. It emphasizes looking at those who have less to cultivate gratitude.

一个人如果总是贪得无厌，永远不会感到知足。 (If a person is always greedy, they will never feel content.)

In a work context, 知足 is used carefully. While being content is a virtue, in a competitive business environment, saying '我对目前的业绩很知足' might sound like you lack ambition (上进心). Therefore, context is key: use it to describe personal happiness, but use 满意 to describe professional results.

You will encounter 知足 (zhī zú) in various layers of Chinese life, from the dinner table to TV dramas. One of the most common places is within family advice. Elders often use it to ground younger generations who might be overly stressed about material gains. For example, during a holiday dinner, if a young person complains about their salary, an elder might say, '比起我们那时候，你现在的生活已经很好了，要知足啊' (Compared to our time, your life now is already very good; you should be content).

In Pop Culture and Media: There is a very famous song by the Taiwanese band Mayday titled '知足.' The lyrics describe the bittersweet feeling of letting someone go because their happiness is more important than possessing them. This expanded the word's usage into the realm of romantic sacrifice and emotional maturity.

‘怎么去拥有一道彩虹... 如果我爱上你的笑容，要怎么收藏，要怎么拥有... 终于你开口这种自由，是我的知足。’ (How to possess a rainbow... If I fall in love with your smile, how to collect it, how to possess it... Finally you speak of this freedom, that is my contentment.) — Lyrics from Mayday's 'Contentment'

In the workplace, you might hear it during performance reviews or casual coffee breaks, though often with a nuanced 'double-edged' meaning. A boss might tell an employee to be 知足 regarding their bonus, or an employee might use it to express that they are happy with their current work-life balance and don't wish to pursue a high-stress promotion.

You will also see this word in calligraphy hanging in homes or traditional tea houses. The phrase '知足常乐' is a favorite for decorative scrolls, serving as a constant reminder to the inhabitants to appreciate what they have. In literature and news editorials, 知足 is used to discuss societal well-being and the 'Happiness Index' (幸福指数). It is argued that a society's stability depends on the collective 知足 of its citizens.

Social Media Usage: On platforms like WeChat or Little Red Book (小红书), users often post photos of simple joys—a home-cooked meal, a sunset, or a quiet afternoon—with the caption '知足' or '小确幸' (a small but certain happiness). Here, it signifies a rejection of consumerist anxiety.

在这个喧嚣的世界里，能有一份宁静的心情，我就很知足了。 (In this noisy world, to be able to have a peaceful mood, I am very content.)

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 知足 (zhī zú) with 满意 (mǎn yì). While both translate to 'satisfied' in English, their usage is quite distinct. 满意 is usually specific and objective: you are 满意 with a product, a service, or a score. 知足 is general and subjective: it describes a state of the soul or a life philosophy. You wouldn't say '我对这个汉堡很知足' (I am content with this burger) unless you were making a deep philosophical statement about the burger's role in your survival; instead, you would use 满意.

Mistake 1: Using '知足' for physical fullness: English speakers might think 'I'm full' translates to 'I'm satisfied' and then use 知足. In Chinese, if you've eaten enough, you say 饱了 (bǎo le). Using 知足 here sounds like you are grateful to be alive and eating, which is too heavy for a casual meal.

Incorrect: 吃了这顿饭，我很知足。 (Unless it's your last meal.)
Correct: 吃了这顿饭，我很满意 / 我吃饱了。

Another mistake is confusing 知足 with 满足 (mǎn zú). 满足 is a verb meaning 'to satisfy' or 'to fulfill' a requirement or a desire. For example, '满足需求' (to satisfy a demand). While 知足 is a state of being, 满足 is often the action of satisfying something. However, '感到满足' (feeling fulfilled) is very close to 知足, but 知足 specifically emphasizes the 'knowing' (知) aspect—the conscious decision to stop desiring.

Grammatically, learners often try to use 知足 as a noun, like 'My contentment is important.' In Chinese, you would say '知足很重要' (Being content is important), but it's more natural to use it as a predicate. Also, avoid using the '是' verb with it (e.g., '我是知足'). Use degree adverbs like '很' or '非常'.

Mistake 2: Overusing it in competitive settings: If you are in a job interview and say '我很知足' regarding your skills, it might be interpreted as 'I am complacent and don't want to improve.' In professional growth contexts, 知足 can sometimes have a negative connotation of lacking drive.

一个人不能太容易知足，否则就不会进步。 (A person shouldn't be too easily content, otherwise they won't progress.)

Understanding the synonyms of 知足 (zhī zú) helps in choosing the right word for the right emotional depth. While 知足 is about the wisdom of sufficiency, other words focus on the pleasure of the moment or the fulfillment of a specific wish.

1. 满意 (mǎn yì) - Satisfied/Pleased: This is the most common alternative. It is used when reality matches your expectations. If you buy a phone and it works well, you are 满意. It is more objective and less philosophical than 知足.
2. 满足 (mǎn zú) - Fulfilled/Satisfied: This word is often interchangeable with 知足 in the sense of feeling fulfilled, but it also acts as a transitive verb. You can 满足 someone else's needs, but you cannot 知足 someone else. 满足 focuses on the completion of a desire.

Comparison:
我对生活很知足 (I am content with life - philosophical/character trait).
我对生活很满意 (I am satisfied with life - evaluation of current quality).

For more poetic or literary contexts, you might use 惬意 (qiè yì) or 舒心 (shū xīn). 惬意 describes a sense of comfortable satisfaction, often related to the environment or a pleasant experience (like sitting by a fireplace). 舒心 implies that one's heart is at ease and free from worry.

On the opposite side, if you want to express a lack of contentment, besides 不知足, you can use 贪心 (tān xīn) for greed or 愤懑 (fèn mèn) for a resentful lack of satisfaction. 知足 is the middle ground between these extremes.

3. 心满意足 (xīn mǎn yì zú) - Perfectly Satisfied: This idiom combines 'heart' (心), 'satisfied' (满意), and 'enough' (足). It describes a state of total, blissful contentment where one wants for nothing more. It is more emphatic than just 知足.

看到孩子们都成家立业了，老两口感到心满意足。 (Seeing that their children had all settled down and started careers, the old couple felt perfectly satisfied.)

How Formal Is It?

Curiosidade

The character '足' (zú) originally depicted a foot. Its meaning evolved from 'foot' to 'to walk' to 'to reach' and finally to 'sufficient' (reaching the required amount).

Guia de pronúncia

UK /dʒiː zuː/

US /dʒiː zuː/

First syllable (zhī) has the high flat first tone. Second syllable (zú) has the rising second tone.

Rima com

衣 (yī) 鸡 (jī) 西 (xī) 路 (lù) 步 (bù) 故 (gù) 图 (tú) 书 (shū)

Erros comuns

Pronouncing 'zh' like English 'z'.
Pronouncing 'z' like English 'z' instead of 'dz'.
Getting the tones wrong (e.g., saying both as first tone).
Confusing 'zu' with 'ju'.
Failing to retroflex the 'zh'.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 3/5

The characters are relatively simple, but the philosophical context can be deep.

Escrita 4/5

Writing '知' and '足' is easy, but using them in complex B2-level grammar requires practice.

Expressão oral 3/5

Tones are manageable, but retroflex 'zh' needs care.

Audição 3/5

Commonly heard in dramas and daily life, usually easy to pick out.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

知道 (Know) 足够 (Enough) 满意 (Satisfied) 快乐 (Happy) 生活 (Life)

Aprenda a seguir

贪婪 (Greedy) 欲望 (Desire) 修养 (Self-cultivation) 境界 (Realm/State) 淡泊 (Indifferent to fame/fortune)

Avançado

上进心 (Ambition) 虚荣心 (Vanity) 功利主义 (Utilitarianism) 内卷 (Involution) 躺平 (Lying flat)

Gramática essencial

Stative Verbs as Adjectives

他很知足。 (No '是' is needed.)

Preposition '对' for objects of emotions

我对现状知足。

Negative prefix '不'

不知足的人。

Adverbial marker '地'

知足地活着。

The '...了' of change or current state

我也该知足了。

Cadastre-se grátis para ler a explicação completa

Exemplos por nível

我很知足。

I am very content.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

他不知足。

He is not content.

Negative form: 不 + 知足.

你要知足。

You should be content.

Using '要' as 'should/must'.

我们都很知足。

We are all very content.

Plural subject.

知足的人很快乐。

Content people are very happy.

Using '知足' as an adjective to modify '人'.

我不贪心，我很知足。

I am not greedy; I am very content.

Contrasting two adjectives.

他是一个知足的孩子。

He is a content child.

Noun phrase: 知足的 + Noun.

知足就好。

Being content is enough.

Fixed expression: ...就好.

虽然他很穷，但是他很知足。

Although he is poor, he is very content.

Conjunction: 虽然...但是...

你已经有很多玩具了，该知足了。

You already have many toys; you should be content by now.

Using '该...了' for 'it's time to/should'.

知足常乐是他的生活态度。

Contentment brings happiness is his attitude toward life.

Using a four-character idiom as a noun phrase.

我对自己现在的房子很知足。

I am very content with my current house.

Prepositional phrase: 对...知足.

不知足的人永远不会幸福。

People who are not content will never be happy.

Negative subject phrase.

他总是对生活感到不知足。

He always feels discontented with life.

Using '感到' (to feel) with '不知足'.

只要你知足，生活就会变简单。

As long as you are content, life will become simple.

Conditional: 只要...就...

学会知足是一件好事。

Learning to be content is a good thing.

Gerund-like subject: 学会知足.

他并没有追求名利，只是想过知足的生活。

He did not pursue fame and fortune; he just wanted to live a content life.

Using '只是' to contrast desires.

如果你总是和别人比，你就很难知足。

If you always compare yourself with others, it’s hard to be content.

Conditional: 如果...就...

大家都很羡慕他那种知足的心态。

Everyone envies his contented mindset.

Object of '羡慕'.

在这个竞争激烈的社会，保持知足很难。

In this highly competitive society, it is hard to stay content.

Adverbial phrase: 在...社会.

他是一个很容易知足的人，一点小礼物就能让他开心。

He is a person who is easily contented; a small gift can make him happy.

Compound modifier: 很容易知足的.

为了让父母知足，他工作非常努力。

In order to make his parents feel content (satisfied with him), he works very hard.

Purpose clause: 为了...

我们应该珍惜现在拥有的，学会知足。

We should cherish what we have now and learn to be content.

Serial verb construction.

他知足地叹了一口气，闭上了眼睛。

He sighed contentedly and closed his eyes.

Adverbial use: 知足地 + Verb.

知足并不代表不思进取，而是一种内心的平和。

Contentment does not mean lack of ambition, but rather an inner peace.

Structure: 并不代表...而是...

她对现状感到知足，因此拒绝了那个高薪但压力巨大的职位。

She felt content with the current situation, so she turned down that high-paying but high-stress position.

Causal link: ...因此...

这种不知足的心理往往是焦虑的根源。

This kind of discontented psychology is often the root of anxiety.

Using '不知足' as an attributive adjective.

他那种知足常乐的性格让他看起来比同龄人年轻得多。

His content-brings-happiness personality makes him look much younger than his peers.

Complex subject phrase.

面对诱惑，只有知足的人才能保持清醒。

In the face of temptation, only those who are content can remain clear-headed.

Structure: 只有...才...

知足是一种智慧，它能让我们免于无谓的烦恼。

Contentment is a form of wisdom; it can keep us from unnecessary worries.

Using '免于' (avoid/be free from).

比起物质的匮乏，精神上的不知足更可怕。

Compared to material scarcity, spiritual discontent is more terrifying.

Comparison: 比起...更...

他虽然获得了巨大的成功，但依然保持着那份知足。

Although he achieved great success, he still maintains that sense of contentment.

Using '保持' (maintain) with '知足'.

老子提倡的‘知足不辱’，在当今物欲横流的社会依然具有启发意义。

Laozi's advocacy of 'knowing contentment avoids disgrace' still has enlightening significance in today's materialistic society.

Referencing classical philosophy.

这种知足并非消极遁世，而是一种洞察世事后的淡然。

This contentment is not passive escapism, but a kind of indifference after gaining insight into the ways of the world.

Contrast: 并非...而是...

他的文字中透露出一种随遇而安、知足自乐的旷达。

His writing reveals a broad-mindedness of being at home wherever one is and finding joy in contentment.

Using four-character idioms as modifiers.

现代人的痛苦，往往源于对‘更多’的病态追求，而非基本需求的不知足。

The pain of modern people often stems from a pathological pursuit of 'more,' rather than discontent with basic needs.

Complex causal analysis.

他的一生都在这种知足与进取之间寻找微妙的平衡。

His whole life has been spent searching for a delicate balance between contentment and ambition.

Abstract noun usage.

唯有知足者，方能不为外物所累，获得真正的自由。

Only those who are content can avoid being burdened by external things and achieve true freedom.

Literary structure: 唯有...方能...

这种不知足驱使着人类不断进步，但也带来了环境的破坏。

This discontent drives humanity to progress constantly, but it also brings environmental destruction.

Dualistic argument.

在繁华落尽之后，他才真正领悟了知足的真谛。

Only after the prosperity faded did he truly understand the essence of contentment.

Temporal clause: 在...之后.

若能深谙知足之理，则宠辱不惊，去留无意。

If one can deeply understand the principle of contentment, then one remains indifferent to both favor and humiliation, and is unconcerned with staying or leaving.

Classical Chinese structure (若...则).

其为人也，谦和知足，不于利禄，实乃谦谦君子也。

As a person, he is humble and content, not seeking wealth or rank; he is truly a modest gentleman.

Archaic sentence patterns.

知足者，贫贱亦乐；不知足者，富贵亦忧。

He who is content is happy even in poverty; he who is not content is worried even in wealth.

Parallelism and antithesis.

于大千世界中寻得一份知足，便是最高境界的修行。

Finding a sense of contentment in the vast world is the highest level of spiritual practice.

Sublime abstract subject.

这种知足感并非天生，而是历经沧桑后的心灵沉淀。

This sense of contentment is not innate, but the spiritual sedimentation after experiencing the vicissitudes of life.

Metaphorical language.

纵使家财万贯，若心不知足，终究不过是欲望的奴隶。

Even with immense wealth, if the heart is not content, one is ultimately nothing but a slave to desire.

Concessive structure: 纵使...若...

他以一种近乎禅定的知足，对抗着时代的浮躁。

With a contentment nearly like Zen meditation, he resists the impetuousness of the era.

Simile and contrast.

知足之谓，非止步不前，乃明辨取舍也。

What is called contentment is not stopping progress, but clearly discerning what to take and what to leave.

Definitional classical structure.

Colocações comuns

感到知足

学会知足

非常知足

知足常乐

不知足的人

知足的心态

容易知足

知足于...

并不知足

永远知足

Frases Comuns

知足常乐

— Contentment brings constant happiness. It's the most famous phrase using this word.

爷爷常说，知足常乐嘛。

不知足

— Insatiable; not satisfied. Often used as a mild scolding.

你这孩子怎么这么不知足？

知足感

— A sense of contentment. Used as a noun to describe a feeling.

这种生活带给我很大的知足感。

心满意足

— To be perfectly satisfied in heart and mind.

他心满意足地笑了。

知足者富

— He who is content is rich. A philosophical proverb from Laozi.

古人云：知足者富。

知足不辱

— Knowing when to be content avoids disgrace. It suggests that greed leads to trouble.

做人要懂得知足不辱。

容易知足

— Easily satisfied. Can be a compliment or a slight criticism of lack of ambition.

他这人就是太容易知足了。

永不知足

— Never satisfied. Describes extreme ambition or extreme greed.

人类对知识的追求是永不知足的。

知足安命

— To be content with one's lot and accept fate.

他过着知足安命的生活。

对...知足

— To be content with something specific.

我对现在的收入很知足。

Frequentemente confundido com

知足 vs 满意

满意 is for specific results/expectations; 知足 is for general life state.

知足 vs 满足

满足 can be a verb 'to satisfy'; 知足 is mostly a state of being.

知足 vs 足够

足够 means 'enough' in quantity; 知足 means 'content' in spirit.

Expressões idiomáticas

"知足常乐"

— One who is satisfied with what he has is always happy.

知足常乐，不要总是攀比。

Common

"心满意足"

— Perfectly satisfied; to have all one's wishes fulfilled.

他心满意足地领到了奖金。

Common

"贪得无厌"

— Insatiable greed; never satisfied (Antonym idiom).

这个贪官贪得无厌，最终被捕了。

Formal

"知足不辱"

— To know contentment is to avoid shame/disgrace.

知足不辱，知止不殆。

Literary

"安分守己"

— To know one's place and be content with it.

他一辈子安分守己，没出过什么大错。

Neutral

"比上不足，比下有余"

— Worse than those above, but better than those below; a reason to be content.

我的生活嘛，比上不足，比下有余，知足了。

Informal

"随遇而安"

— To feel at home wherever one is; content with any situation.

他是个随遇而安的人。

Common

"乐天知命"

— Happy with one's lot and resigned to fate.

他这种乐天知命的性格很少见。

Literary

"得寸进尺"

— Give him an inch and he'll take a mile (Opposite of being content).

你不能对他太好，他会得寸进尺的。

Informal

"自鸣得意"

— To be very pleased with oneself (often used negatively for smugness).

他取得一点成绩就自鸣得意。

Neutral

Fácil de confundir

知足 vs 满意

Both translate to 'satisfied'.

满意 is objective and external; 知足 is subjective and internal.

我对成绩满意，对生活知足。

知足 vs 满足

Shared character '足'.

满足 implies a desire has been filled; 知足 implies the desire was limited by wisdom.

满足好奇心 vs. 知足的生活。

知足 vs 自足

Self-sufficient vs. content.

自足 (zì zú) means self-sufficient (producing what you need); 知足 is an emotion.

经济自足 vs. 内心知足。

知足 vs 安分

Both mean staying within limits.

安分 is about social behavior; 知足 is about internal feeling.

他很安分，也很知足。

知足 vs 高兴

Both are positive emotions.

高兴 is a short-term emotion; 知足 is a long-term state of mind.

今天很高兴，这辈子很知足。

Padrões de frases

我 + 很 + 知足。

我很知足。

虽然...但是...知足。

虽然很累，但我很知足。

对...感到...知足。

我对生活感到知足。

学会...才能...

学会知足才能常乐。

并非...而是...

知足并非放弃，而是一种智慧。

若...则...

若能知足，则无忧。

与其...不如知足。

与其抱怨，不如知足。

只要...就知足了。

只要你开心，我就知足了。

Família de palavras

Substantivos

知足感 (Sense of contentment)

知足者 (One who is content)

Verbos

知足 (To be content - used as a stative verb)

Adjetivos

知足 (Content)

不知足 (Discontented)

Relacionado

满足 (Satisfy)

满意 (Pleased)

足够 (Enough)

充足 (Ample)

补足 (Make up the deficiency)

Cadastre-se grátis para ver todos os exemplos

Como usar

frequency

High in daily life, especially among adults and in literature.

Erros comuns

我是知足的人。 → 我是一个知足的人。
You need the classifier '一个' when identifying yourself as a type of person.
我对这个菜很知足。 → 我对这个菜很满意。
Use '满意' for specific things like food or services.
他不知足他的薪水。 → 他对他对薪水不知足。
You need the preposition '对' to indicate what one is not content with.
知足感是很重要的。 → 知足感很重要。
In Chinese, you don't need '是...的' for simple descriptive sentences with nouns of quality.
我吃知足了。 → 我吃饱了。
To say you are full from eating, use '饱', not '知足'.

Dicas

No 'to be' verb

Don't say '我是知足'. Just say '我很知足'. Stative verbs in Chinese carry the sense of 'to be'.

Learn the idiom

Always learn '知足常乐' together. It's used so often that it's practically the default way the word appears.

Respect the elders

Elders love this word. Using it shows you understand traditional Chinese values of humility and gratitude.

Negative usage

Use '不知足' carefully; it can sound like a strong criticism of someone's character (calling them ungrateful).

Attributive use

When using it before a noun, add '的', e.g., '知足的生活' (a content life).

Tone check

Listen for the rising tone on 'zú'. If it sounds flat, it might be 'zū' (rent), which is a completely different word!

Softening advice

Add '吧' at the end ('知足吧') to make the advice to 'be content' sound more like a suggestion than a command.

Internal vs External

Remember: 知足 is internal. Use it when talking about your heart and mind, not external metrics.

Workplace caution

In a job interview, don't say you are '知足' with your current skills. Say you are '满意' with your progress but want to learn more.

The 'Zu' family

Group it with '满足', '足够', and '充足' to remember that they all relate to 'enough'.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine you have a 'Foot' (足) and you 'Know' (知) exactly where it should stop walking toward more money. If you know where your foot stops, you are content.

Associação visual

A person sitting under a tree with a single bowl of rice, smiling, while a golden palace in the distance is ignored.

Word Web

知 (Know) 足 (Enough) 乐 (Joy) 贪 (Greed) 满 (Full) 心 (Heart) 安 (Peace) 常 (Always)

Desafio

Try to spend one whole day without saying 'I want' (我要) and instead say 'I am content with' (我对...很知足).

Origem da palavra

The phrase appears in ancient texts like the 'Tao Te Ching' (道德经) by Laozi (approx. 6th century BC). It combines '知' (know/realize) and '足' (sufficient/foot). In ancient Chinese, '足' also meant 'to stop,' implying knowing where to stop one's desires.

Significado original: Knowing when one has enough to avoid danger or disgrace.

Sino-Tibetan

Contexto cultural

Be careful not to use '知足' to tell someone who is genuinely suffering or in poverty that they should just 'be content.' It can sound dismissive of systemic problems.

Western culture often emphasizes 'ambition' and 'never settling,' which can make '知足' seem slightly passive or negative to some English speakers. However, the 'Mindfulness' movement in the West is very similar to '知足'.

Laozi's 'Tao Te Ching': '知足者富' (He who is content is rich). Mayday's song '知足': A modern cultural touchstone for the word. The 'Three Character Classic' (三字经): Often mentions the virtue of contentment.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Family Dinners

现在的日子很知足
要学会知足
别太贪心
知足常乐

Job Performance Reviews

对薪水很知足
不知足是动力
不要容易知足
感到知足

Philosophical Discussions

知足的真谛
知足者富
精神上的知足
知足与进取

Romantic Relationships

有你我就知足了
不知足的爱人
感到很知足
为你而知足

Self-Reflection/Journaling

我该知足吗？
寻找知足感
学会知足的过程
保持知足

Iniciadores de conversa

"你觉得‘知足常乐’在现代社会还适用吗？"

"你是一个容易知足的人吗？为什么？"

"你认为知足和没有上进心之间有区别吗？"

"在什么情况下，你会觉得特别知足？"

"如果你中了大奖，你还会感到知足吗？"

Temas para diário

写一件今天让你感到知足的小事。

反思一下，你在哪些方面感到不知足？这种感觉对你有帮助吗？

描述你理想中的‘知足生活’是什么样的。

讨论一下，为什么有些人即使很富有也无法知足？

写一封信给未来的自己，提醒自己要保持知足的心态。

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

Technically, you could, but it sounds very dramatic. It's better to use '满意' (satisfied) or '吃饱了' (full). Use '知足' for life, not lunch.

Mostly, yes. However, in a competitive work environment, it can sometimes imply a lack of '上进心' (ambition). context matters.

满足 is often the result of getting what you want (e.g., satisfying a craving). 知足 is the wisdom of not wanting more than you have.

Use '我不入足' or more commonly '我不知足.' If it's about a specific thing, say '我对此不满意.'

Yes, it is a very common choice for calligraphy and tattoos because of its positive, grounding message.

Yes, you can describe someone as a '知足的人' (a content person) or tell someone '你要知足' (you should be content).

It has strong roots in Taoism and Buddhism, but in modern usage, it is a secular term for psychological well-being.

It's usually an adjective or verb, but you can say '知足是一种美德' (Contentment is a virtue), where it acts as a gerund/noun.

Yes, 知足 sounds more humble and philosophical; 满意 sounds more like a customer review or an evaluation.

You can say '有你我就知足了' (Having you is enough for me/I'm content with just you), which is very romantic.

Cadastre-se grátis para ver dicas e notas