Understanding "饥饿" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 饥饿
• Pinyin: jī'è
• Literal Meaning: "饥" means "hunger," and "饿" means "starvation" or "extreme hunger." Together, they emphasize a strong sense of hunger.
• Primary Meaning: The word refers to the physical state of being hungry, often to a significant or uncomfortable degree. It can also metaphorically describe a strong desire or craving for something non-food related (e.g., knowledge, success).

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
• "饥饿" is commonly used to describe physical hunger, such as when someone hasn't eaten for a long time. It’s more intense than just "饿" (è), which can mean general hunger.
• In modern contexts, it can be used metaphorically, like "知识饥饿" (zhīshi jī'è, "thirst for knowledge") or "成功的饥饿感" (chénggōng de jī'è gǎn, "hunger for success").

• It often appears in discussions about poverty, famine, or social issues (e.g., "全球饥饿问题," quánqiú jī'è wèntí, "global hunger issues").

• Character Breakdown:

• 饥 (jī): Means "hunger" or "famine." The left radical "饣" (shí) relates to food, and the right part "几" (jī) hints at pronunciation.
• 饿 (è): Means "starvation" or "extreme hunger." The left radical "饣" (shí) again ties to food, while the right "我" (wǒ) is phonetic.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 他因为工作太忙，经常感到饥饿。
   Pinyin: Tā yīnwèi gōngzuò tài máng, jīngcháng gǎndào jī'è.
   English: Because he’s too busy with work, he often feels hungry.

2. Chinese: 战争导致许多人陷入饥饿。
   Pinyin: Zhànzhēng dǎozhì xǔduō rén xiànrù jī'è.
   English: The war has left many people suffering from hunger.

3. Chinese: 她对学习新知识有一种饥饿感。
   Pinyin: Tā duì xuéxí xīn zhīshi yǒu yī zhǒng jī'è gǎn.
   English: She has a hunger for learning new knowledge.

Cultural Notes

• Historically, China experienced severe famines (e.g., the Great Chinese Famine, 1959–1961), so "饥饿" carries a heavy cultural weight when discussing food security or poverty.
• In modern slang, younger generations might use "饿" alone casually ("我饿了," wǒ è le, "I'm hungry"), while "饥饿" sounds more formal or severe.

Conclusion

"饥饿" (jī'è) describes intense hunger, either physical or metaphorical. Remember its components: "饥" (hunger) + "饿" (starvation). Use it for serious hunger or strong desires, and note its cultural significance in discussions about famine or ambition.