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March 24, 2026
恶心(噁心)ěxin(e3xin5)
恶心 (ě xīn) refers to the feeling of nausea or disgust. It can describe both physical sensations, like feeling sick, and emotional responses, such as being repulsed by something unpleasant. This word is often used in everyday conversation to express discomfort or aversion.
Frequency#1057DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing disgust is often more direct than in Western contexts, where subtlety may be preferred. The use of 恶心 can reflect a person's strong feelings about food, cleanliness, or social situations.
Memory Tip
Think of 恶 (è), which looks like a person with a frown, representing something bad or evil, and 心 (xīn), which means heart. Imagine a heart feeling queasy or disgusted when encountering something unpleasant, helping you remember the pronunciation and meaning.
Meanings of 恶心
ěxin(e3xin5)
primary
1nausea
2to feel sick
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 恶心
恶心Simplified
噁心Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1057Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 恶心
Podcast: 恶心
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AI Study Notes for 恶心
Quick Contrast
恶心 (ě xīn) vs 讨厌 (tǎo yàn) — use 恶心 for physical nausea or disgust, while 讨厌 is more about emotional dislike or annoyance.
Memory Mnemonic
Think of 恶 (è), which looks like a person with a frown, representing something bad or evil, and 心 (xīn), which means heart. Imagine a heart feeling queasy or disgusted when encountering something unpleasant, helping you remember the pronunciation and meaning.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 恶心 with similar-sounding words like 伤心 (shāng xīn, to feel sad). This word is informal and widely used in conversation, but may not be suitable for formal writing. Be mindful of the tones; using the wrong tone can change the meaning completely.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 6 word, 恶心 connects to other vocabulary related to emotions and physical sensations. Focus on how this word is used in context, such as in expressions about health or personal feelings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, expressing disgust is often more direct than in Western contexts, where subtlety may be preferred. The use of 恶心 can reflect a person's strong feelings about food, cleanliness, or social situations.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes misuse 恶心 to describe a mild dislike, leading to sentences like '我恶心这个菜' (Wǒ ě xīn zhège cài), which is too strong for just not liking a dish. Instead, use '我不喜欢这个菜' (Wǒ bù xǐhuān zhège cài) for mild preferences.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 恶心
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Grammar Patterns of 恶心
恶心 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 9 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 5
Complete the Sentence
她显然还会照吃不误，然后把自己吃到____。
She would apparently eat normally and then make herself sick.
She would apparently eat normally and then make herself sick.
2
她嗓子里的血腥味让她直恶心。
tā sǎng zǐ lǐ de xiě xīng wèi ràng tā zhí è xīn。
The taste of blood in her throat made her want to vomit.
3
龙的毒素会引起瘫痪、肿胀和恶心。
lóng de dú sù huì yǐn qǐ tān huàn、 、 zhǒng zhàng hé è。
Poison from the weaver fish causes paralysis, swelling, and nausea.
4
那样的表演真叫我恶心.
nà yàng de biǎo yǎn zhēn jiào wǒ è xīn.
A performance like that makes me want to heave up.
5
他的话真叫我恶心.
tā de huà zhēn jiào wǒ è xīn.
What he said really curls me up.
6
橙汁会让他恶心，别让他喝橙汁。
chéng zhī huì ràng tā è xīn， ， bié ràng tā hē chéng。
Orange juice makes him sick so don't give it to him.
7
腐烂的鱼臭味使我恶心.
fǔ làn de yú chòu wèi shǐ wǒ è xīn.
The stink of the rotten fish turned my stomach.
8
要想吃这种食物,得不恶心才行.
yào xiǎng chī zhè zhǒng shí wù, , dé bù è xīn cái.
You have to have a strong stomach to eat this food.
9
他突然觉得恶心，猛烈地干呕起来。
tā tū rán jué dé è xīn， ， měng liè dì gān ǒu qǐ。
Nausea surged in him and he retched violently.
10
她恶心得直发抖。
tā è xīn dé zhí fā dǒu。
She gave a dramatic shudder of repulsion.
Cultural Notes for 恶心
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, expressing disgust is often more direct than in Western contexts, where subtlety may be preferred. The use of 恶心 can reflect a person's strong feelings about food, cleanliness, or social situations.
Frequently Asked Questions about 恶心
You can say '我觉得恶心' (Wǒ juédé ě xīn) meaning 'I feel nauseous'.
Yes, it can also express emotional disgust, such as being repulsed by a behavior or situation.
