Meaning
厌 expresses a feeling of dislike, weariness, or being fed up with something or someone. It conveys a sense of aversion that has developed over time, often through overexposure or negative experiences. The character appears in many compound words related to disgust, boredom, and aversion.
Usage
厌 is most commonly used in compound words rather than alone. The most frequent combinations are 讨厌 (tǎoyàn, annoying/to dislike), 厌烦 (yànfán, to be fed up), and 厌倦 (yànjuàn, to be weary of). In formal or literary contexts, 厌 can stand alone as a verb, but in everyday speech, native speakers typically use it within these compounds.
Examples
- 01他对这份工作已经厌倦了。.He's already tired of this job.
- 02我最讨厌别人不守时。.I hate it most when people are not punctual.
Common collocations
- 讨厌annoying, to dislike
- 厌烦to be fed up with
- 厌倦to be weary of
- 厌恶to detest
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 厭 consists of 厂 (cliff/factory radical) over 犬 (dog) and 肉 (meat), originally depicting something oppressive or satiated to the point of disgust.