我喜欢
wǒ xǐhuan
In Chinese, "I like it" is expressed as 我喜欢 (wǒ xǐhuan).
我喜欢 is used to express that you find something pleasing or appealing. While it can stand alone to mean "I like it," it is more commonly used as a transitive verb followed by a specific person or noun. To express an even stronger liking for something, you can use 好喜欢.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Cantonese, you can use the phrase 我鍾意 (ngo zung yi) to express "I like it."
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase negative, add 不 (bù) before 喜欢 to say 我不喜欢 (I don't like it). In Chinese, the object "it" (它) is often omitted if the context makes it clear what is being liked, whereas in English "it" is usually required.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ xǐhuan
Did you know?
- In the phrase 喜欢, the first character 喜 represents a drum and a mouth, originally symbolizing the noise and joy of a celebration.
- In Chinese culture, the character 喜 in 喜欢 is often used as a decorative symbol for weddings and celebrations to bring good luck.
- While 喜欢 is the standard term, the phrase 心头好 (xīntóuhǎo) is used to describe a 'favorite' thing that literally resides at the top of one's heart.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢这个电影。（Wǒ xǐhuān zhège diànyǐng.）I like this movie.
- 我很喜欢这首歌。（Wǒ hěn xǐhuān zhè shǒu gē.）I really like this song.
- 我喜欢这本书，因为它引人入胜。（Wǒ xǐhuān zhè běn shū, yīnwèi tā yǐnrénrùshèng.）I like this book because it's fascinating.
- 我喜欢这件衣服。Wǒ xǐhuan zhè jiàn yīfu.I like this piece of clothing.
- 我喜欢这种颜色。Wǒ xǐhuan zhè zhǒng yánsè.I like this color.
- 我喜欢听音乐。Wǒ xǐhuan tīng yīnyuè.I like listening to music.
Example conversation
Zihan and Zhiqiang are looking at a new painting in a gallery.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，你觉得这幅画怎么样？Zhìqiáng, nǐ juéde zhè fù huà zěnmeyàng?Zhiqiang, what do you think of this painting?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我喜欢这幅画。Wǒ xǐhuan zhè fù huà.I like this painting.
- 梓涵 Zihan我也觉得很漂亮。Wǒ yě juéde hěn piàoliang.I also think it is very beautiful.
- 志强 Zhiqiang它的风格很特别。Tā de fēnggé hěn tèbié.Its style is very special.
