Jiongpo describes a state of being in a tight spot, facing difficulties that cause embarrassment or distress.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes a difficult or embarrassing situation.
- Often relates to financial hardship or social awkwardness.
- Implies feeling stuck and unable to easily resolve.
Overview
“窘迫”是一个形容词，用来描述一个人或群体所处的困境。这种困境可能源于经济上的拮据（例如，入不敷出、缺乏资金），也可能源于社交场合的尴尬（例如，在众人面前出丑、被问及隐私问题），或是由于突发事件导致的措手不及。总的来说，“窘迫”强调的是一种令人感到不自在、为难、甚至有些狼狈的状态。
“窘迫”常用来形容经济状况，如“经济窘迫”、“生活窘迫”。也可以用来形容处境或局面，如“处境窘迫”、“局面窘迫”。此外，它还可以形容人的表情或感受，如“神色窘迫”、“感到窘迫”。通常与“感到”、“处于”、“面临”等动词搭配使用。
- 1经济方面：描述个人、家庭或组织因缺乏资金而面临困难，例如失业、生意失败、意外支出过大等。2. 社交场合：描述在公开场合或与他人互动时，因某些原因（如回答不当、行为失礼、被揭穿秘密）而感到尴尬、难堪。3. 突发事件：描述在意外情况下，因准备不足或情况复杂而感到不知所措、难以应对。
- 1尴尬 (gāngà)：侧重于社交场合中的难为情、不自然，通常由言行不当或不合时宜引起。“窘迫”比“尴尬”的含义更广，可以包含经济和处境上的困难，而“尴尬”主要指心理感受。2. 困难 (kùnnán)：泛指事情不易办到或处境不利，程度比“窘迫”更宽泛。“窘迫”特指一种紧迫的、令人为难的困难，带有更强的负面情绪色彩。3. 拮据 (jiéjū)：专门指经济上的困难，钱不够用。“窘迫”可以包含经济困难，但不仅仅限于此，还可以指其他方面的困境。4. 狼狈 (lángbèi)：形容因遇到意外或困难而不知所措，样子很不好看，常带有失态的意味。“窘迫”可以导致“狼狈”的局面，但“窘迫”本身更侧重于困境本身，而“狼狈”更侧重于外在表现。
Examples
由于投资失败，他一时间陷入了经济窘迫的境地。
formalDue to investment failure, he suddenly found himself in a state of financial distress.
面对大家关切的目光，他一时语塞，神色有些窘迫。
informalFacing everyone's concerned gaze, he was momentarily speechless, looking somewhat embarrassed.
在资源有限的情况下，项目组的日子过得十分窘迫。
neutralWith limited resources, the project team was living a very straitened existence.
该地区长期面临粮食窘迫的问题，急需国际援助。
academicThe region has long faced a critical food shortage, urgently requiring international aid.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
经济窘迫
Financial distress
处境窘迫
Difficult predicament
捉襟见肘
Pulling the lapel reveals the elbow (idiom for financial hardship)
Often Confused With
'Gāngà' (embarrassed) typically refers to social awkwardness or feeling self-conscious in a specific situation. 'Jiǒngpò' is broader and can include financial hardship or a general state of being in a difficult predicament, which may or may not involve social embarrassment.
'Kùnnán' (difficulty) is a general term for any challenging situation. 'Jiǒngpò' implies a more specific type of difficulty – one that is pressing, causes distress, and often leaves one feeling stuck or helpless.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The term 'jiǒngpò' carries a negative connotation, implying hardship, distress, or awkwardness. It is often used in contexts discussing financial difficulties, difficult circumstances, or social predicaments. While it can describe embarrassment, it usually suggests a more serious or prolonged state than a fleeting moment of awkwardness.
Common Mistakes
Learners might overuse 'jiǒngpò' for very minor inconveniences or simple social awkwardness where a word like 'gāngà' (embarrassed) would be more appropriate. It's important to reserve 'jiǒngpò' for situations implying genuine hardship or a significant predicament.
Tips
Understand the feeling of being stuck
Think of 'jiongpo' as being in a tight corner with no easy way out, leading to discomfort or distress.
Avoid overusing for minor issues
While it covers embarrassment, 'jiongpo' often implies more significant hardship than a simple moment of awkwardness.
Face-saving implications
In many East Asian cultures, admitting to 'jiongpo', especially financial, can be sensitive due to concepts of social standing and reputation.
Word Origin
The character '窘' (jiǒng) originally depicted a person trapped in a narrow space, symbolizing distress and confinement. '迫' (pò) means to press or compel. Together, '窘迫' vividly portrays being pressed into a difficult and confined situation.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, maintaining a good image and avoiding public shame is important. Experiencing 'jiǒngpò', particularly financial or social, can be deeply uncomfortable as it relates to one's reputation and ability to manage life's challenges.
Memory Tip
Imagine someone 'jiong' (jumping) into a situation without thinking, only to find themselves in a 'po' (poor) state, embarrassed and in trouble.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“尴尬”主要指在社交场合中因言行不当或不合时宜而感到难为情、不自在。“窘迫”的含义更广，可以包括经济上的困难、处境上的为难，以及社交上的尴尬。可以说，尴尬是窘迫的一种表现形式，但窘迫不一定只指尴尬。
“窘迫”可以用来形容人的经济状况（如经济窘迫）、所处的境地（如处境窘迫）、或者由于某种原因而感到的不自在和为难（如神色窘迫）。
不一定。“窘迫”可以指经济上的困难，但也可以指其他方面的困境，例如在公开演讲时突然忘词，或者在谈判中处于下风，这些都可能导致一种“窘迫”的处境。
“窘迫”通常用于描述较为严肃或正式的场合，尤其是在讨论经济困难、社会问题或个人面临的重大挑战时。在描述轻微的社交不适时，可能用“尴尬”更为恰当。
Test Yourself
由于公司效益不佳，许多员工面临着严重的经济_______。
句意是说公司效益不好导致员工经济上有困难，‘窘迫’最符合这个语境。
下列哪个词语最能表达“窘迫”所形容的状态？
‘进退两难’形容处境困难，无法前进也无法后退，与‘窘迫’所描述的困境和为难的状态非常相似。
选择最符合逻辑的句子。
句子结构完整，逻辑清晰，表达了在回答问题时感到为难或尴尬。
Score: /3
Summary
Jiongpo describes a state of being in a tight spot, facing difficulties that cause embarrassment or distress.
- Describes a difficult or embarrassing situation.
- Often relates to financial hardship or social awkwardness.
- Implies feeling stuck and unable to easily resolve.
Understand the feeling of being stuck
Think of 'jiongpo' as being in a tight corner with no easy way out, leading to discomfort or distress.
Avoid overusing for minor issues
While it covers embarrassment, 'jiongpo' often implies more significant hardship than a simple moment of awkwardness.
Face-saving implications
In many East Asian cultures, admitting to 'jiongpo', especially financial, can be sensitive due to concepts of social standing and reputation.
Examples
4 of 4由于投资失败，他一时间陷入了经济窘迫的境地。
Due to investment failure, he suddenly found himself in a state of financial distress.
面对大家关切的目光，他一时语塞，神色有些窘迫。
Facing everyone's concerned gaze, he was momentarily speechless, looking somewhat embarrassed.
在资源有限的情况下，项目组的日子过得十分窘迫。
With limited resources, the project team was living a very straitened existence.
该地区长期面临粮食窘迫的问题，急需国际援助。
The region has long faced a critical food shortage, urgently requiring international aid.
Related Content
Related Vocabulary
More daily_life words
朝九晚五
B2From nine to five; regular working hours.
废弃
B2To abandon; to discard; to cease to use.
恪守
B2To scrupulously observe; to strictly adhere to.
未免
B2Rather; a bit too; truly (implies something excessive).
反常
B2abnormal, unusual
充裕
B2Abundant; ample.
充沛
B2Abundant; plentiful; full of energy.
门禁卡
B2Access card; entry card.
门禁
B2Access control (system).
配件
B2Fittings; accessories; spare parts.
