欲

慾
yù
#1,043 most
frequent character
desire, appetite, passion, lust

Character breakdown

Source: Make Me a Hanzi.

欲 puts together 谷 gǔ, a valley standing here for an empty need, and 欠, an open-mouthed person; 谷 gǔ also carries the sound. The pair points to craving what you lack, first 'to covet'. That grew into desire and wish, and then into wanting something.

欲 as a component in other characters

picture1 character
慾

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Same Characters, Different Readings

欲yù
to wish for, to desire

Homophones

HSK 6
熨yù
reconciled, smooth
玉yù
jade
遇yù
meet, encounter
誉yù
to praise, to acclaim, reputation
御yù
(bound form) imperial, royal

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