How common it is
现象 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
Pronunciation focus
Say xiànxiàng slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
“现象”指我们看到或注意到的事情或情况。
“Xiànxiàng” zhǐ wǒmen kàndào huò zhùyì dào de shìqíng huò qíngkuàng.
"Phenomenon" refers to things or situations we see or notice.
Context note
春天花开是一种自然现象，很多小朋友都喜欢观察。
Chūntiān huā kāi shì yī zhǒng zìrán xiànxiàng, hěnduō xiǎopéngyǒu dōu xǐhuān guānchá.
Flowers blooming in spring is a natural phenomenon, and many children like to observe it.
5 examples
彩虹是一种美丽的现象。
cǎi hóng shì yì zhǒng měi lì de xiàn xiàng。
Rainbow is a beautiful phenomenon.
下雨后出现水坑是常见现象。
xià yǔ hòu chū xiàn shuǐ kēng shì cháng jiàn xiàn xiàng。
Puddles appearing after rain is a common phenomenon.
影子随着太阳移动是自然现象。
yǐng zi suí zhe tài yáng yí dòng shì zì rán xiàn xiàng。
Shadows moving with the sun is a natural phenomenon.
小鸟飞向南方是季节现象。
xiǎo niǎo fēi xiàng nán fāng shì jì jié xiàn xiàng。
Birds flying south is a seasonal phenomenon.
冰变成水是融化现象。
bīng biàn chéng shuǐ shì róng huà xiàn xiàng。
Ice turning into water is a melting phenomenon.
5 mini stories
小华看到蚂蚁搬家，觉得这是一个有趣的现象。蚂蚁在排队走。
xiǎo huá kàn dào mǎ yǐ bān jiā， jué de zhè shì yí gè yǒu qù de xiàn xiàng。 mǎ yǐ zài pái duì zǒu。
Xiao Hua sees ants moving, and thinks this is an interesting phenomenon. The ants are walking in a line.
雨后出现彩虹，大家都很开心。这个现象让天空变得漂亮。
yǔ hòu chū xiàn cǎi hóng， dà jiā dōu hěn kāi xīn。 zhè ge xiàn xiàng ràng tiān kōng biàn de piào liang。
A rainbow appears after the rain, and everyone is very happy. This phenomenon makes the sky beautiful.
冬天窗户上有霜，这是一个冷的现象。小丽用手指画了一个笑脸。
dōng tiān chuāng hù shàng yǒu shuāng， zhè shì yí gè lěng de xiàn xiàng。 xiǎo lì yòng shǒu zhǐ huà le yí gè xiào liǎn。
In winter, there is frost on the window, which is a cold phenomenon. Xiao Li draws a smiley face with her finger.
树叶变黄是秋天的现象。小刚捡了一片黄叶做书签。
shù yè biàn huáng shì qiū tiān de xiàn xiàng。 xiǎo gāng jiǎn le yí piàn huáng yè zuò shū qiān。
Leaves turning yellow is an autumn phenomenon. Xiao Gang picks a yellow leaf to make a bookmark.
水烧开时冒泡泡，这是一个沸腾现象。妈妈用开水泡茶。
shuǐ shāo kāi shí mào pào pào， zhè shì yí gè fèi téng xiàn xiàng。 mā ma yòng kāi shuǐ pào chá。
When water boils, bubbles appear; this is a boiling phenomenon. Mom uses boiling water to make tea.