adjective HSK 5
Traditional 深奧
shēn ào
profound · abstruse · deep and obscure

Meaning

深奥 describes something that is difficult to understand because it is very deep or complex in meaning. It refers to concepts, theories, or language that require significant intellectual effort to comprehend, often used for academic, philosophical, or technical subjects.

Usage

Commonly used in formal or academic contexts to describe theories, books, ideas, or language that are intellectually challenging. It carries a neutral to positive connotation, suggesting depth rather than needless complexity. Often paired with words like 理论 (theory), 道理 (principle), or 问题 (question).

Examples

  1. 01
    这本哲学书的内容太深奥了,我看不懂。
    Zhè běn zhé xué shū de nèi róng tài shēn ào le, kàn dǒng.
    The content of this philosophy book is too abstruse; I can't understand it.
  2. 02
    量子物理学对普通人来说非常深奥
    Liàng xué duì tōng rén lái shuō fēi cháng shēn ào.
    Quantum physics is very profound for ordinary people.

Characters

Common collocations

  • 深奥的理论
    shēn ào de lùn
    profound theory
  • 深奥难懂
    shēn ào nán dǒng
    abstruse and difficult to understand
  • 内容深奥
    nèi róng shēn ào
    the content is profound

Antonyms

Origin

深 (deep) combines with 奥 (profound, hidden depths) to create a compound meaning 'deeply profound.' The character 奥 originally referred to the innermost part of a house, suggesting something hidden or difficult to reach.

Related