verb HSK 4
Traditional 勸
to advise · to urge · to persuade · to exhort
Meaning
劝 means to advise or persuade someone to do or not do something. It carries the sense of offering sincere advice or encouragement, often for someone's benefit. The character is commonly used when trying to influence someone's decision or behavior through words.
Usage
Native speakers use 劝 when they actively try to convince someone to take a particular course of action. It's often used in contexts like 劝说 (to persuade), 劝告 (to advise/warn), or 劝阻 (to dissuade). The tone is generally well-meaning, though it can sometimes imply that the person being advised is reluctant or resistant.
Examples
- 01我劝你别去那个地方。.I advise you not to go to that place.
- 02朋友们都劝她戒烟，但她不听。, .Her friends all urged her to quit smoking, but she wouldn't listen.
Common collocations
- 劝说to persuade (through talking)
- 劝告to advise, to admonish
- 劝阻to dissuade, to advise against
- 劝架to mediate a dispute, to break up a fight
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 勸 combines 雚 (a phonetic component) with 力 (strength, effort), suggesting the effort or force needed to persuade someone.