‘求知欲’ literally combines three characters: 求 (qiú, 'to seek'), 知 (zhī, 'knowledge' or 'to know'), and 欲 (yù, 'desire' or 'urge'). Together, it expresses a deep, internal drive to learn, understand, and explore new ideas — not just casual curiosity, but a sustained, active thirst for knowledge. It’s often used to describe the intellectual motivation behind studying, asking questions, reading widely, or pursuing education.

This noun is commonly found in educational, psychological, and philosophical contexts. It frequently appears in discussions about child development ('children’s natural 求知欲'), academic success ('strong 求知欲 leads to deeper learning'), or lifelong learning ('cultivating one’s 求知欲'). Unlike simple curiosity (好奇心), 求知欲 implies intentionality, persistence, and a value placed on understanding itself — it reflects an emotional and cognitive state rooted in intellectual aspiration.