carnal
Definitions
Relating to physical, especially sexual, desires and pleasures
肉欲的，情欲的
Of the body or material world, as opposed to the spiritual
肉体的，世俗的（与精神相对）
Root Breakdown
Native Englishcarn (flesh) + -al (relating to) = 'of the flesh.' The word fixes on the body and its appetites — especially sexual ones — and almost always stands opposite the spiritual or moral. Hence carnal desire, carnal pleasure, carnal knowledge (a formal term for sexual relations).
Root carn still carries 13 more wordsCommon Collocations
- 1.carnal desire肉欲
- 2.carnal pleasure肉体享乐
- 3.carnal knowledge性关系（旧式）
- 4.carnal appetite肉体欲望
Example Sentences
- 1.
The sermon warned against giving in to carnal desires.
- 2.
The novel contrasts spiritual love with purely carnal attraction.
- 3.
In old legal language, 'carnal knowledge' meant sexual intercourse.
Easily Confused
carnal vs sensual vs sexual — carnal is the most moralizing and old-fashioned, framing bodily desire as base, opposed to the spirit. sensual is about pleasure of the senses (food, touch, music) and is fairly positive. sexual is the plain, neutral, clinical term. Moral judgement of the flesh → carnal; rich sensory pleasure → sensual; neutral fact → sexual.