无限
wúxiàn
The English word "infinity" is translated into Chinese as 无限 (wúxiàn).
无限 refers to endlessness, unlimitedness or the absence of an end or limit. In mathematical contexts, when describing a value that is "infinitely large" or "tends toward infinity", the term 无限大 is commonly used.
Meaning: endlessness, unlimitedness, absence of end or limit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 无限 is composed of 无, meaning "no" or "without" and 限, meaning "limit" or "boundary".
Which one should you use?
无边 can be used specifically to describe a boundless or infinite expanse. For informal situations, such as describing something that is never-ending, you might use 没完没了.
How does it change in a sentence?
By adding the particle 的 to the word, it becomes 无限的, which functions as an adjective used to modify nouns, such as in the phrase "infinite possibilities".
How do you pronounce it?
wúxiàn
Did you know?
- Unlike English, where 'infinite' can feel cold or mathematical, using 无边无际 (wúbiān wújì) to describe something endless evokes a sense of profound awe and vastness in literature.
- While 无限 describes abstract infinity, the term 无穷 (wúqióng) is often preferred in pure mathematics to describe an infinite sequence or a quantity that has no end.
- When describing the infinite expanse of the sea or sky, Chinese speakers often use 无垠, a more poetic version of 无限 that specifically emphasizes the lack of a physical border.
Examples in context
- 我们宇宙的膨胀是无穷尽的The expansion of our universe is infinite.
- 我希望我们的爱天长地久I hope our love lasts forever.
- 老板的要求没完没了The boss's demands are never-ending.
- 宇宙充满了无限的可能性。Yǔzhòu chōngmǎnle wúxiàn de kěnéngxìng.The universe is full of infinite possibilities.
- 他对知识有着无限的热情。Tā duì zhīshì yǒuzhe wúxiàn de rèqíng.He has an infinite passion for knowledge.
- 在这个任务中，我们面临着无限的挑战。Zài zhège rènwù zhōng, wǒmen miànlínzhe wúxiàn de tiǎozhàn.In this task, we face infinite challenges.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing a math problem in class.
- 梓涵 Zihan这个数列会延伸到无限吗？Zhège shùliè huì yánshēn dào wúxiàn ma?Does this sequence extend to infinity?
- 浩然 Haoran是的，它没有终点。Shì de, tā méiyǒu zhōngdiǎn.Yes, it has no end.
- 梓涵 Zihan无限的概念真让人惊讶。Wúxiàn de gàiniàn zhēn ràng rén jīngyà.The concept of infinity is truly amazing.
- 浩然 Haoran我也觉得很有意思。Wǒ yě juéde hěn yǒu yìsi.I think it's very interesting too.
