新鲜空气 (xīn xiān kōng qì)

noun phrase HSK 4

Traditional 新鮮空氣

xīn xiān kōng qì

fresh air

Meaning

This phrase literally means 'fresh air' and refers to clean, unpolluted air that is pleasant to breathe. It combines 新鲜 (fresh, new) with 空气 (air), and is commonly used when discussing outdoor environments, ventilation, or the quality of air in different locations.

Usage

Native speakers use this phrase when talking about going outside to breathe clean air, when comparing indoor versus outdoor air quality, or when discussing the benefits of nature and outdoor activities. It often appears in contexts about health, exercise, travel to natural areas, or the need to ventilate stuffy indoor spaces. The phrase carries positive connotations of health and wellbeing.

Examples

01
我们去公园散步，呼吸一下新鲜空气吧。
Wǒmen qù gōng yuán sàn bù, hū xī yī xià xīn xiān kōng qì ba.
Let's go for a walk in the park and breathe some fresh air.
02
山里的新鲜空气让我感觉很舒服。
Shān lǐ de xīn xiān kōng qì ràng wǒ gǎn jué hěn shū fu.
The fresh air in the mountains makes me feel very comfortable.

Characters

Common collocations

呼吸新鲜空气
hū xī xīn xiān kōng qì
to breathe fresh air
出去透透新鲜空气
chū qù tòu tòu xīn xiān kōng qì
go out for some fresh air
享受新鲜空气
xiǎng shòu xīn xiān kōng qì
to enjoy fresh air

Antonyms

Origin

新鲜 combines 新 (new) and 鲜 (fresh), while 空气 literally means 'empty gas' or air. The compound evolved naturally as Chinese speakers needed to describe the quality of air.