I learned both of these words recently. I asked a Chinese friend what is the difference, and she told me they are "almost the same". I'm wondering how strong the "almost" is here. How interchangeable are 满意 and 满足?
-
intransitive "to be satisfied" or adj vs transitive "to satisfy"– Stumpy Joe PeteApr 16, 2020 at 22:37
-
Which is which?– user23661Apr 16, 2020 at 22:54
-
满意 and 满足, in that order– Stumpy Joe PeteApr 16, 2020 at 22:57
-
Thanks. Can 满足 also be used intransitively, and if so what's the difference in meaning from 满意？– user23661Apr 16, 2020 at 22:59
-
滿意 is an emotion. 滿足 is for fulfilling/satisfying some criteria. You can't say 滿意 to tick off a checklist, that'd be like saying are your requirements happy/content?.– dROOOzeApr 17, 2020 at 1:09
|
Show 1 more comment
1 Answer
满 = to fulfill; to satisfy
意 = mind; intend; desire; idea
满意 = be satisfied (of a desire); happy with
Example:
希望我們的服務能使你感到满意 = Hope our service can make you feel satisfied (happy/ satisfied in your mind)
我們已經給你最好的服務，還不满意? = We have given you the best service and you are still not satisfied? (unhappy/ not satisfied in your mind)
我們已經給你最好的服務，還不满足? = We have given you the best service and you are still not satisfied? (still want more)
~
足 = enough
满足 = 1. to satisfy (a need) 2. be satisfied (of one's need)
Example:
每小時十五美元的工資無法满足生活需求 = A wage of fifteen dollars per hour cannot satisfy/ meet the cost of living
非法民工有七美元一小時的工資就很满足了 = Illegal migrant workers are satisfied/ content with a salary of seven dollars an hour (a need is satisfied/ don't feel needing more)
非法民工有七美元一小時的工資就很满意了 = Illegal migrant workers are satisfied /happy with a salary of seven dollars an hour (a desire is satisfied/fulfilled)
-
I, for one, am quite content with a wage of 15$/hr, but this does answer my question, thank you :)– user23661Apr 17, 2020 at 2:31
-