凄凉 describes an atmosphere of desolation that mirrors internal sadness.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used to describe a desolate or lonely atmosphere.
- Often conveys deep sadness or emotional coldness.
- Commonly found in literary or formal writing.
Overview
- 1概览：凄凉是一个充满文学色彩的词汇，由“凄”（寒冷、悲伤）和“凉”（冷淡、凉薄）组成。它不仅指物理环境上的冷清，更侧重于通过环境描写来烘托出一种凄惨、落寞的心理状态。2) 使用模式：该词既可以独立作谓语，如“晚景凄凉”；也可以作定语，如“凄凉的歌声”；还可以作补语，如“感到一阵凄凉”。它通常带有较强的感彩，多用于书面语或抒情散文中。3) 常见语境：常用于描写秋天落叶、残阳如血、空旷的街道、离别后的孤寂，或是家道中落后的困窘状态。它是文学创作中渲染悲剧氛围的常用词。4) 近义词辨析：与“冷清”相比，“凄凉”的悲伤程度更深，“冷清”仅仅指人少、不热闹，而“凄凉”则包含了一种心理上的痛苦或对命运的感叹。与“凄惨”相比，“凄惨”更侧重于遭遇的悲惨和不幸，而“凄凉”更侧重于环境的荒芜和内心孤寂的氛围。
Examples
看着空荡荡的房间，他感到一阵凄凉。
everydayLooking at the empty room, he felt a wave of desolation.
老人的晚景十分凄凉，无人照料。
formalThe old man's later years were very desolate, with no one to care for him.
秋天的公园里，落叶满地，显得格外凄凉。
informalIn the autumn park, leaves covered the ground, looking especially desolate.
该诗作深刻地描绘了战乱后凄凉的边塞景象。
academicThe poem profoundly depicts the desolate scene of the frontier after the war.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
凄凉景象
desolate scene
凄凉的歌声
mournful singing
一片凄凉
a scene of total desolation
Often Confused With
Refers mainly to a lack of people or activity. It is neutral in emotion compared to the sadness of 凄凉.
Emphasizes misery and tragic suffering. It is more intense and usually relates to misfortune.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
凄凉 is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe a mood or environment. It is not commonly used in casual, upbeat conversation. When used, it carries a heavy emotional weight that highlights sadness and loneliness.
Common Mistakes
Learners often use it to describe a simple lack of people, like an empty store. However, '冷清' is better for that. '凄凉' requires an underlying sense of sadness or tragic atmosphere.
Tips
Use for building atmosphere in writing
Use this word when writing descriptive essays to create a melancholic mood. It helps the reader empathize with the character's loneliness.
Avoid overusing in casual conversation
It sounds overly dramatic in daily casual talk. Keep it for storytelling or expressing deep emotions.
Connected to traditional Chinese aesthetics
It reflects the traditional appreciation of 'sorrowful beauty' in Chinese literature. Authors often use autumn scenes to evoke this feeling.
Word Origin
The word combines '凄' (cold/bitter) and '凉' (cool/thin). Historically, it reflects the traditional Chinese poetic focus on nature's decay to mirror human suffering.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, autumn is traditionally associated with melancholy and the fading of life. Describing a scene as '凄凉' often draws upon this literary tradition of using nature to express human sorrow.
Memory Tip
Think of the 'Qi' (cold) and 'Liang' (cool) characters. Together they create a 'chilly' feeling in the heart, like a lonely autumn night.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“冷清”侧重于客观环境人少、不热闹，感情色彩较淡。而“凄凉”带有浓厚的主观色彩，强调凄惨、悲凉的心理感受。
可以。形容人时通常指人的处境悲惨、孤独或晚景凄凉。
在日常闲聊中较少使用，因为它带有较强的文学性和抒情色彩，更适合在描写、叙事或情感表达中使用。
通常是“繁华”、“热闹”、“温暖”等，取决于它是形容环境还是心情。
Test Yourself
秋风吹过，枯叶飘落，显得格外___。
秋风和枯叶通常与凄凉的意境相匹配。
哪种描述最符合“凄凉”的语境？
破败的环境与凄凉的定义最为契合。
请使用“凄凉”造句。
只有凄凉能表达出孤寂与艰难的处境。
Score: /3
Summary
凄凉 describes an atmosphere of desolation that mirrors internal sadness.
- Used to describe a desolate or lonely atmosphere.
- Often conveys deep sadness or emotional coldness.
- Commonly found in literary or formal writing.
Use for building atmosphere in writing
Use this word when writing descriptive essays to create a melancholic mood. It helps the reader empathize with the character's loneliness.
Avoid overusing in casual conversation
It sounds overly dramatic in daily casual talk. Keep it for storytelling or expressing deep emotions.
Connected to traditional Chinese aesthetics
It reflects the traditional appreciation of 'sorrowful beauty' in Chinese literature. Authors often use autumn scenes to evoke this feeling.
Examples
4 of 4看着空荡荡的房间，他感到一阵凄凉。
Looking at the empty room, he felt a wave of desolation.
老人的晚景十分凄凉，无人照料。
The old man's later years were very desolate, with no one to care for him.
秋天的公园里，落叶满地，显得格外凄凉。
In the autumn park, leaves covered the ground, looking especially desolate.
该诗作深刻地描绘了战乱后凄凉的边塞景象。
The poem profoundly depicts the desolate scene of the frontier after the war.
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