How common it is
鲜 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say xiān slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
鲜表示新鲜、鲜美。
xiān biǎo shì xīn xiān 、 xiān měi。
Fresh means recently made or tasty.
Context note
鲜常用于食物、颜色和口味。
xiān cháng yòng yú shí wù 、 yán sè hé kǒu wèi。
Fresh often appears with food, color, and taste.
5 examples
鱼很鲜。
yú hěn xiān。
The fish is fresh.
这个水果很鲜。
zhè ge shuǐ guǒ hěn xiān。
This fruit is fresh.
请买新鲜的。
qǐng mǎi xīn xiān de。
Please buy fresh ones.
菜要新鲜。
cài yào xīn xiān。
Vegetables should be fresh.
味道很鲜。
wèi dào hěn xiān。
The taste is fresh and delicious.
5 mini stories
妈妈买了新鲜的蔬菜。
mā ma mǎi le xīn xiān de shū cài。
Mom bought fresh vegetables.
这条鱼很鲜，大家都喜欢。
zhè tiáo yú hěn xiān， dà jiā dōu xǐ huan。
This fish is fresh and everyone likes it.
天气热，食物要保持新鲜。
tiān qì rè， shí wù yào bǎo chí xīn xiān。
When it is hot, food should be kept fresh.
他喜欢鲜味的汤。
tā xǐ huan xiān wèi de tāng。
He likes soup with a fresh taste.
这些水果看起来很鲜。
zhè xiē shuǐ guǒ kàn qǐ lái hěn xiān。
These fruits look fresh.