欲 yù desire
desire; want; longing; intent
How to remember 欲: 谷 valley + 欠 to lack = desire. Three days in the valley, their packs beginning to lack food, the hikers talk about pizza with a burning desire.
Component breakdown
欲 = 谷 valley + 欠 to lack
- 谷 valley
- 欠 to lack
Three days in the valley, their packs beginning to lack food, the hikers talk about pizza with a burning desire.
How it is used
- Desire/want, and 'about to' - 欲望 (yùwàng) desire, 食欲 (shíyù) appetite.
- Literary 'about to / on the verge of': 摇摇欲坠 (yáoyáo-yùzhuì) tottering on the brink of collapse.
- 随心所欲 (suíxīnsuǒyù) = to do whatever one pleases, following one's whims.
- 欲 (formal desire/longing) is bookish; everyday 'to want' is 想 or 要.