Have you ever thought that your friends know what you like without you having to tell them? Well, you’re not alone! People show their preferences daily, but they often refrain from expressing them in words. Nevertheless, sometimes it’s a great idea to share what you like with your friends. Who knows, maybe you’ll receive a pleasant surprise! Whether you’ve just started learning Chinese in China or you simply need a refresher, this article will guide you through five frequently used Chinese words that will help you discuss your interests.

1. To Like, 喜欢 (Xǐhuan)

We bet you’ve heard this word a zillion times, especially if you’ve spent some time in China. It is the most popular word that Chinese people use to express that they like someone or something, and is relatively simple and straightforward.

Example

我喜欢我的新同事。
Wǒ xǐhuan wǒ de xīn tóngshì.
I like my new colleague(s).

2. To be Fond of, 喜爱 (Xǐ’ài)

People consider 喜爱 (xǐ’ài) to be a synonym of 喜欢 (xǐhuan), but it actually packs a bit more punch because it contains 爱 (ài), which means “love”. Keep in mind, however, that you can’t use 喜爱 (xǐ’ài) to describe people. Instead, you can use it to talk about activities that you have a preference for, like playing badminton, cycling, chess, swimming, etc.

Example

我非常喜爱这本书。
Wǒ fēicháng xǐ’ài zhè běn shū.
I really like this book.

3. To Love, 爱 (Ài)

As a Chinese learner, as long as you have a rough idea of how “I love you” is translated into Chinese (which is 我爱你 wǒ ài nǐ), you should be familiar with this word, and you can use it anytime you think you’ve fallen in love with someone or something.

Example

我爱吃中国菜。
Wǒ ài chī Zhōngguó cài.
I love (eating) Chinese food.

4. To Adore, 热爱 (Rè’ài)

You can use this word in formal situations to indicate a deep and lasting love for something. It is often associated with patriotism.

Example

我热爱我的祖国。
Wǒ rè ài wǒ de zǔguó.
I love my motherland.

5. To be Obsessed with, 迷恋 (Míliàn)

You can use this word to express that someone is obsessed with something. It’s like saying they’re addicted to it, but with a stronger emphasis on their obsession.

Example

我的弟弟迷恋电脑游戏。
Wǒ de dìdi míliàn diànnǎo yóuxì.
My younger brother is obsessed with computer games.

So, the next time you want to express your likes or dislikes in Chinese, you have five new words to add to your vocabulary. Remember, it’s always good to tell people what you like – you never know what kind of surprise they might have in store for you! Happy learning!

If you’re interested in learning a few more Chinese words to add to your list, you’ll find them here.