adjective HSK 4
Traditional 鮮艷
xiān yàn
bright · vivid · brightly colored · gorgeous

Meaning

鲜艳 describes colors that are bright, vivid, and eye-catching. It emphasizes the intensity and attractiveness of colors, often used for flowers, clothing, paintings, or anything with striking visual appeal. The word carries a positive connotation of being pleasingly colorful rather than garish.

Usage

Most commonly used to describe flowers, fabrics, decorations, and natural scenery. Native speakers frequently pair it with 颜色 (color) as in 颜色很鲜艳. It's a neutral-to-positive term suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Often contrasted with 暗淡 (dull) or 素雅 (plain and elegant).

Examples

  1. 01
    她今天穿了一件颜色很鲜艳的裙子。
    jīn tiān chuān le jiàn yán hěn xiān yàn de qún zi.
    She wore a brightly colored dress today.
  2. 02
    公园里的花开得特别鲜艳
    Gōng yuán de huā kāi de bié xiān yàn.
    The flowers in the park are blooming especially vividly.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 颜色鲜艳
    yán xiān yàn
    bright colors
  • 鲜艳的花朵
    xiān yàn de huā duǒ
    brightly colored flowers
  • 色彩鲜艳
    cǎi xiān yàn
    vivid colors
  • 鲜艳夺目
    xiān yàn duó
    dazzlingly bright

Antonyms

Origin

鲜 originally meant fresh (as in fresh fish) and extended to mean bright and lively. 艳 has long meant beautiful and colorful, especially in classical poetry. Together they form a compound emphasizing vivid, attractive color.

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