Meaning
腻 describes something that is oily or greasy, particularly food. It has extended to mean feeling satiated to the point of disgust, or being tired of something due to overexposure. When you've had too much of something—whether it's fatty food, a repetitive activity, or even a person—you can say you feel 腻.
Usage
Commonly used to describe rich, oily foods that make you feel overwhelmed (油腻). Also frequently used in the phrase 腻了 to express that you're sick of something or someone. Can describe relationships that feel cloying or overly sweet. The character appears in both literal (greasy food) and figurative (tired of) contexts in everyday speech.
Examples
- 01这个菜太油腻了，吃不下了。, .This dish is too greasy; I can't eat anymore.
- 02天天吃火锅，我都吃腻了。, .Eating hotpot every day—I'm totally sick of it.
Common collocations
- 油腻greasy, oily
- 腻了fed up with, tired of
- 吃腻了tired of eating (something)
- 腻歪overly affectionate; annoying
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 膩 contains the meat/flesh radical 月, indicating its original connection to fatty meat or greasy substances. The phonetic component suggests the pronunciation.