Meaning
This phrase literally means 'have meaning/significance'. It describes something that has value, purpose, or importance—whether an action, conversation, experience, or object. It's commonly used to express that something is worth doing or has had a positive impact on one's life.
Usage
Native speakers frequently use this to evaluate activities, experiences, or work. It's a neutral to positive register term suitable for both spoken and written contexts. Often appears in phrases like '很有意义' (very meaningful) or '做一些有意义的事' (do something meaningful). The opposite '没有意义' (meaningless) is equally common.
Examples
- 01我觉得志愿者工作很有意义。.I think volunteer work is very meaningful.
- 02这次旅行对我来说非常有意义。.This trip was very meaningful to me.
Characters
Common collocations
- 很有意义very meaningful
- 有意义的事meaningful thing/matter
- 有意义的生活meaningful life
- 做有意义的工作do meaningful work
Antonyms
Origin
The compound '意义' combines two characters both related to 'meaning', with '意' originally referring to thought/intention and '义' to righteousness/principle. Together they form the modern word for 'meaning' or 'significance'. Adding '有' creates the adjectival phrase.