curious
gb/kjˈʊɹiəs/ us/kjˈʊɹiəs/
B1
Inglés
~ 7100
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adjective
B1
property
1
eager to know or learn
Wanting to know or learn more about something because it is interesting to you.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is curious about [something]
Error frecuente:
Learners often say *curious of* or *curious on* instead of *curious about* (e.g. say "I am curious about your job," not "curious of your job"). They may also confuse "curious" with "interested" and overuse "curious" in formal writing; in many formal contexts, "interested" is more natural.
Sinónimos
inquisitive (Often suggests asking many questions and strongly wanting to learn; slightly more formal than "curious".)
|
interested (More general and neutral; does not always include a strong desire to find out more, as "curious" does.)
Antónimos
uninterested (Shows no desire to know more, the opposite of being curious.)
|
indifferent (Cares very little and does not want to find out more.)
Colocaciones
curious about
|curious to know
|curious to see
|naturally curious
|a curious child
|curious mind
Temas
emotions
|communication
|education
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She has always been curious about how machines work.
- I'm curious to know what you thought of the movie.
- The students were curious about life in other countries.
- He grew more and more curious as she told her story.
- As a child, I was curious about everything around me.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The boy is very curious about animals.
- I am curious to see what happens next.
- She is curious about your home country.
- My little sister is curious about everything I do.
- They are curious to know why you left early.
adjective
B2
property
2
too interested in others' business
Wanting to know private things about other people, in a way that is not polite.
Patrón de uso:
[someone] is curious about [someone else's private life]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes do not realize this sense can sound negative. Saying "I am curious about you" to a new acquaintance may sound too personal or intrusive; it is often better to say "I’d like to know more about you" or ask a specific, polite question.
Sinónimos
nosy (Clearly negative and informal; strongly suggests rude interest in private matters.)
|
prying (Shows unwanted, often secret attempts to find private information.)
Antónimos
discreet (Careful not to ask or share private information; the opposite of being rudely curious.)
|
respectful (Shows respect for other people’s privacy instead of asking curious questions.)
Colocaciones
too curious
|overly curious
|curious neighbors
|curious strangers
|a curious question
Temas
emotions
|social
|communication
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- I don't want to seem curious, but why did you two break up?
- The neighbors are far too curious about what goes on in this house.
- Stop being so curious about her salary; it's none of your business.
- He gave her a curious look, as if searching for a secret she was hiding.
- People can be curious when they see police outside a house.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- My aunt is very curious about my love life, and it makes me uncomfortable.
- Do not be so curious about how much money he makes.
- I did not answer his curious questions about my health.
- She does not like curious people asking about her age.
- The kids were curious about the new teacher’s private life.
adjective
B2
property
3
strange or unusual
Strange or unusual, so that it makes you think and want to understand it.
Patrón de uso:
a curious [thing/situation/fact]
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with the "interested" sense and say things like *"I am curious today"* when they only mean *"I am interested"* or *"I want to know"*. Also, using "curious" for people in this sense ("a curious man" meaning strange) can be unclear, because it usually means he wants to know a lot.
Sinónimos
strange (Very common general word for not normal; does not always suggest interest, while "curious" often does.)
|
odd (Informal word for slightly strange; very close in meaning but can sound more casual than "curious".)
Antónimos
ordinary (Normal and not special, the opposite of "curious" in this sense.)
|
normal (As expected or usual; contrasts with the unusual nature of something curious.)
Colocaciones
curious fact
|curious thing
|curious feeling
|curious coincidence
|curious mixture
|curious case
Temas
description
|thinking
|news
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- It’s a curious fact that the two brothers were born on the same day five years apart.
- She noticed a curious smell coming from the kitchen.
- In a curious twist, the company grew during the crisis instead of shrinking.
- The book has a curious mixture of humor and sadness.
- There was something curious about the way he smiled at me.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- There is a curious noise coming from the engine.
- That is a curious story; I have never heard anything like it.
- He gave me a curious look that I did not understand.
- This town has a curious mix of old and new buildings.
- It is a curious fact that they never speak to each other.
Gramática
Expresiones
curious about
1/kjˈʊɹiəs əbˈaʊt/
fixed phrase
interested in learning about
Used to say that you want to know more about something.
Ejemplos
- I’m really curious about your trip to Japan.
- Children are usually curious about where babies come from.
- She’s curious about how the new system will work.
curious mind
1/kjˈʊɹiəs mˈaɪnd/
fixed phrase
person who loves to learn
A way to describe someone who likes to ask questions and learn about many things.
Ejemplos
- Teachers should encourage a curious mind in every student.
- Her curious mind led her to study many different subjects.
- A curious mind never stops asking why.
curious to know
1/kjˈʊɹiəs tə nˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
wanting to find out something
Used before a clause to show you strongly want to find out some information.
Ejemplos
- I’m curious to know what he will say about the problem.
- We’re curious to know whether the project will be approved.
- She was curious to know why they had moved away.
curious to see
1/kjˈʊɹiəs tə sˈi/
fixed phrase
eager to see the result
Used to say you strongly want to see what happens or what something looks like.
Ejemplos
- I’m curious to see how the story ends.
- They are curious to see the new office after the renovation.
- I’m curious to see whether our plan actually works.
just curious
1/d͡ʒˈʌst kjˈʊɹiəs/
fixed phrase
informal
asking without strong reason
Said when you ask a question only because you want to know, not for an important reason.
Ejemplos
- Why did you choose that color, if you don’t mind me asking—just curious.
- I’m not judging you, I’m just curious.
- I was just curious, so I checked the price online.