jiǎnféi: 减肥 - To Lose Weight, Dieting

• Keywords: 减肥, jiǎnféi, how to lose weight in Chinese, dieting in China, Chinese weight loss, body image China, lose fat Chinese, Chinese health terms, get slim in Chinese
• Summary: Learn how to say “lose weight” or “diet” in Chinese with the essential term 减肥 (jiǎnféi). This page breaks down its meaning, cultural significance in modern China where beauty standards are a hot topic, and practical usage. Discover how 减肥 (jiǎnféi) is more than just dieting—it's a common goal and conversation starter, encompassing everything from exercise to changing eating habits.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jiǎnféi
• Part of Speech: Verb / Noun
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To reduce fat; to lose weight.
• In a Nutshell: 减肥 (jiǎnféi) is the all-encompassing term for the action of trying to lose weight. It's not just about “dieting” but refers to the entire project of getting slimmer, which can include exercise, watching what you eat, or other lifestyle changes. It's an active, intentional process.

• 减 (jiǎn): This character means “to reduce,” “to subtract,” or “to decrease.” Think of it as subtracting something to make it less.
• 肥 (féi): This character means “fat,” “plump,” or “fertile.” The left part (月) is a radical that often relates to flesh or parts of the body.
• Together, 减 (jiǎn) + 肥 (féi) literally and logically means “to reduce fat.” This makes it a very easy word to remember once you know the two characters.

In modern China, 减肥 (jiǎnféi) is a pervasive topic, deeply tied to social and aesthetic values. While health is a stated reason, the cultural pressure to be thin (瘦 - shòu) is immense, particularly for women. The prevailing beauty standard is often described as “白瘦幼” (bái shòu yòu) - “pale, skinny, and youthful.” This contrasts with some Western fitness ideals that may prioritize being “toned,” “strong,” or “curvy.” In China, the focus is often squarely on slimness (苗条 - miáotiao). It's incredibly common to hear friends, colleagues, and celebrities talking about their 减肥 journey. A person who is considered a normal weight by Western standards might still say “我要减肥” (Wǒ yào jiǎnféi - “I need to lose weight”) as a form of social commentary or self-deprecation. The term reflects a collective social consciousness about body image that is a powerful force in daily life and consumer culture.

减肥 (jiǎnféi) is a high-frequency word used in a wide range of informal and commercial contexts.

• Daily Conversation: It's a common conversation starter or a way to comment on food. Someone might say, “This cake is delicious, but I need to 减肥!” It's often said with a light, sometimes humorous or complaining tone.
• Social Media: On platforms like Weibo and Douyin (TikTok), the hashtag #减肥打卡 (jiǎnféi dǎkǎ - “weight loss check-in”) is extremely popular. Users post their meals, workout routines, and progress to keep themselves accountable.
• Commercial Use: The term is central to the health and wellness industry. You'll see it everywhere in ads for gyms, diet teas, meal replacement shakes, and fitness apps.
• Connotation: The term itself is neutral, simply describing an action. However, the context can make it sound like a complaint (“减肥太难了!” - “Losing weight is so hard!”), a determined resolution (“我这次一定要减肥成功!” - “I must succeed in losing weight this time!”), or a simple statement of fact.

• Example 1:
  • 我最近胖了，需要减肥了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ zuìjìn pàng le, xūyào jiǎnféi le.
  • English: I've gotten fat recently, I need to lose weight.
  • Analysis: A very common, casual statement. The particle `了 (le)` appears twice, first indicating a completed change of state (getting fat) and second indicating a new situation (now needing to lose weight).
• Example 2:
  • 你是怎么减肥成功的？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ shì zěnme jiǎnféi chénggōng de?
  • English: How did you succeed in losing weight?
  • Analysis: The `是…的 (shì…de)` structure is used here to ask about the details (in this case, “how”) of a past event.
• Example 3:
  • 为了减肥，她每天只吃沙拉。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiǎnféi, tā měitiān zhǐ chī shālā.
  • English: In order to lose weight, she only eats salad every day.
  • Analysis: `为了 (wèile)` means “in order to” and clearly states the purpose of the action that follows.
• Example 4:
  • 减肥期间，最好不要吃太多甜食。
  • Pinyin: Jiǎnféi qījiān, zuìhǎo búyào chī tài duō tiánshí.
  • English: During the weight loss period, it's best not to eat too many sweets.
  • Analysis: Here, 减肥 is used with `期间 (qījiān)` to mean “the period of losing weight,” functioning like a noun.
• Example 5:
  • 很多人减肥失败是因为无法坚持。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén jiǎnféi shībài shì yīnwèi wúfǎ jiānchí.
  • English: A lot of people fail to lose weight because they can't persist.
  • Analysis: 减肥失败 (jiǎnféi shībài) is a common collocation meaning “to fail at losing weight.”
• Example 6:
  • 这款减肥茶真的有效果吗？
  • Pinyin: Zhè kuǎn jiǎnféi chá zhēnde yǒu xiàoguǒ ma?
  • English: Does this brand of weight-loss tea really have any effect?
  • Analysis: 减肥 can be used as an adjective to modify another noun, like `茶 (chá)` here, creating “weight-loss tea.”
• Example 7:
  • 减肥是女人永恒的话题。
  • Pinyin: Jiǎnféi shì nǚrén yǒnghéng de huàtí.
  • English: Losing weight is an eternal topic for women.
  • Analysis: A very famous and somewhat stereotypical saying in Chinese culture. Here 减肥 acts as the subject of the sentence, a noun.
• Example 8:
  • 医生建议他通过运动和节食来减肥。
  • Pinyin: Yīshēng jiànyì tā tōngguò yùndòng hé jiéshí lái jiǎnféi.
  • English: The doctor advised him to lose weight through exercise and dieting.
  • Analysis: This sentence shows that `运动 (yùndòng - exercise)` and `节食 (jiéshí - dieting)` are methods used `来 (lái - to)` achieve the goal of 减肥.
• Example 9:
  • 我朋友试了各种减肥方法，但都没用。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ péngyou shì le gèzhǒng jiǎnféi fāngfǎ, dàn dōu méi yòng.
  • English: My friend tried all kinds of weight-loss methods, but none of them worked.
  • Analysis: 减肥方法 (jiǎnféi fāngfǎ) means “weight-loss methods,” another example of 减肥 modifying a noun.
• Example 10:
  • 别再说了，明天我就开始减肥！
  • Pinyin: Bié zài shuō le, míngtiān wǒ jiù kāishǐ jiǎnféi!
  • English: Stop talking about it, I'll start losing weight tomorrow!
  • Analysis: A classic, slightly dramatic declaration of intent, often made after overindulging. `就 (jiù)` adds emphasis and immediacy.

• “Action” vs. “State” (减肥 vs. 瘦): This is the most common pitfall for learners.
  • 减肥 (jiǎnféi) is the action of trying to lose weight.
  • 瘦 (shòu) is the state of being thin.
  • Incorrect: ~~她很减肥。~~ (Tā hěn jiǎnféi.) - This means “She is very losing weight,” which is nonsense.
  • Correct: 她想减肥。(Tā xiǎng jiǎnféi.) - She *wants to lose weight* (action).
  • Correct: 她很瘦。(Tā hěn shòu.) - She *is very thin* (state).
• 减肥 (jiǎnféi) vs. “Dieting”: While 减肥 is often translated as “dieting,” it's a broader concept. “Dieting” in English primarily refers to controlling food intake. In Chinese, the specific word for that is `节食 (jiéshí)`. 减肥 is the overall project, and `节食` is just one of the tools you might use, along with `运动 (yùndòng)`. If you say you are 减肥, it implies a holistic effort to get slimmer.

• 瘦 (shòu) - Thin, slim. The adjective describing the desired result of 减肥.
• 胖 (pàng) - Fat, overweight. The adjective describing the state that prompts someone to 减肥.
• 健身 (jiànshēn) - Fitness, to work out. While related, `健身` focuses more on building health, strength, and muscle, whereas 减肥 focuses specifically on reducing fat and weight.
• 节食 (jiéshí) - To diet (specifically by controlling food). This is one specific method of 减肥.
• 运动 (yùndòng) - Exercise, sports. Another key method used to 减肥.
• 身材 (shēncái) - Body shape, figure. People 减肥 to achieve a better 身材.
• 体重 (tǐzhòng) - Body weight. The metric that is measured during 减肥.
• 苗条 (miáotiao) - Slender, slim. A common and positive descriptor for a person's figure, often the goal of 减肥.
• 卡路里 (kǎlùlǐ) - Calorie. A direct loanword used when discussing the specifics of food intake for 减肥.
• 健康 (jiànkāng) - Health, healthy. The positive reason often given for 减肥.