消极 (xiāojí)

消极 means negative or passive in attitude or behavior. It describes a pessimistic, unmotivated, or defeatist mindset. Its direct antonym is 积极 (jījí), which means positive or enthusiastic. 消 means to diminish or fade, and 极 means extreme or pole.

Meanings

[adjective] Negative; passive; pessimistic; lacking motivation or initiative.

Example Sentences

他对工作的态度很消极。 Tā duì gōngzuò de tàidu hěn xiāojí. His attitude toward work is very negative.

遇到困难要积极面对，不要消极。 Yù dào kùnnán yào jījí miànduì, bú yào xiāojí. When facing difficulties, be positive, not passive.

消极的情绪会影响健康。 Xiāojí de qíngxù huì yǐngxiǎng jiànkāng. Negative emotions can affect your health.

老师希望学生们有积极的学习态度，而不是消极的。 Lǎoshī xīwàng xuéshengmen yǒu jījí de xuéxí tàidu, ér bú shì xiāojí de. The teacher hopes students will have a positive attitude toward learning, not a passive one.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
消极态度	negative attitude
消极情绪	negative emotions
消极影响	negative influence
积极 vs 消极	positive vs negative (antonym pair)
消极应对	to respond passively

Memory Hook

消 means to fade away, and 极 means pole. A 消极 attitude is energy that has faded to the negative pole. The opposite, 积极, is energy charged up at the positive pole. Memorize this pair together: 积极 (positive, active, enthusiastic) and 消极 (negative, passive, defeatist). They are the two poles of motivation in Chinese, and you will encounter both constantly in schools, workplaces, and motivational speech.