新鲜 (xīnxiān) — fresh
HSK 4 | adjective | recently produced or obtained; not stale or decayed
新鲜 (xīnxiān)
新鲜 describes food or produce that is recently harvested, prepared, or obtained, and therefore not spoiled or stale. It can also describe fresh air, a new idea, or a novel experience.
Meanings
- adjective fresh (recently produced and not spoiled; also new, novel, or invigorating)
Example Sentences
市场上的蔬菜都很新鲜。 Shìchǎng shàng de shūcài dōu hěn xīnxiān. The vegetables at the market are all very fresh.
早上呼吸新鲜空气对身体有好处。 Zǎoshang hūxī xīnxiān kōngqì duì shēntǐ yǒu hǎochù. Breathing fresh air in the morning is good for your health.
他提出了一个新鲜的想法。 Tā tíchū le yī gè xīnxiān de xiǎngfǎ. He came up with a fresh idea.
新鲜的鱼比冷冻的更好吃。 Xīnxiān de yú bǐ lěngdòng de gèng hǎochī. Fresh fish tastes better than frozen fish.
Collocations
| Collocation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 新鲜食材 (xīnxiān shícái) | fresh ingredients |
| 新鲜空气 (xīnxiān kōngqì) | fresh air |
| 新鲜感 (xīnxiān gǎn) | sense of novelty |
| 保持新鲜 (bǎochí xīnxiān) | keep fresh |
Usage Notes
新鲜 is used for both food freshness and the figurative sense of something new or invigorating. 新鲜感 (xīnxiān gǎn) specifically means a feeling of novelty, often used when discussing relationships or new experiences.
Memory Hook
新 (xīn) means new, and 鲜 (xiān) means bright or vivid — often containing the fish radical 鱼 suggesting freshness from the sea. "Newly bright" captures the idea of freshness perfectly.