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热衷 (rè zhōng) — to be keen on; to be passionate about; to be devoted to

Definition

A formal, written verb meaning 'to be keenly devoted to,' stronger than 喜欢 or 爱好 and more deliberate than the more emotional 热爱. Takes 于 or 对 to introduce the object.

verb
to be keen onto be passionate aboutto be devoted to

Examples

  • 热衷。
    Tā rè zhōng yú yán jiū gǔ dài cí qì.
    He is keen on studying ancient porcelain.
  • 热衷。
    Zhè xiē nián qīng rén fēi cháng rè zhōng gōng yì shì yè.
    These young people are very passionate about public welfare.
  • 热衷。
    Tā cóng xiǎo jiù duì yīn yuè shí fēn rè zhōng.
    She has been deeply fond of music since childhood.

Origin

Compound word
构词法gòucífǎ
偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

热rèhot/ardent
衷zhōnginner feeling

热 adds 'ardent' to 衷 'inner feeling', giving a strong personal inclination.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 熱; 热 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
灬Written in full as火huǒfire
Sound part声符shēngfú
埶
埶yì熱rè
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 熱 pairs 埶 with 火 (written as 灬) to show heat, while 埶 gives a sound.

Open 热 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
衣衣yīclothes
Sound part声符shēngfú
中
中zhōng衷zhōng
Same sound today

The shape of 衷 combines 衣 (clothes) and 中 (middle; center), with 中 giving the sound.

Open 衷 →
Appears in
HSK 3.0 Level 7-9Attitudes & Opinions

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