To master '憔悴,' remember it vividly describes a visible, worn-out appearance stemming from deep fatigue, illness, or worry, conveying a sense of concern or sympathy.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes someone looking exhausted, unwell, or worn-out.
- Often results from fatigue, illness, or deep worry.
- Neutral to slightly negative register, common in literature and daily speech.
- Mistake: Don't confuse with just 'tired'; it implies a visible, prolonged state.
- Cultural note: Often used to express concern or sympathy for someone's struggle.
概述 — 含义、细微差别、情感分量
“憔悴”是一个形容词，用来描述一个人因各种原因（如疾病、疲劳、忧虑、营养不良等）而显得面色蜡黄、身体消瘦、精神不振、一副病态或疲惫不堪的样子。它的核心含义是因消耗而导致的衰弱和不健康的外表与精神状态。这个词带有强烈的情感分量，通常是负面的，表达了对被描述者身体或精神状况的担忧、同情，甚至是怜悯。它不仅仅指身体上的瘦弱，更强调一种由内而外散发出的精气神不足、缺乏活力的状态。例如，一个长期失眠的人，其面容可能会显得憔悴；一个遭受重大打击的人，也可能因忧虑过度而神情憔悴。它描绘的是一种“被磨损”或“被消耗”的状态，使人看起来比实际年龄更苍老，或比健康状态更虚弱。
使用模式 — 正式/非正式、书面/口语、地域使用
“憔悴”在正式和非正式语境中均可使用，但在书面语中更为常见，尤其是在文学作品、新闻报道或正式的健康评估中。在口语中，人们也会用它来描述他人的状态，但可能不如“累”、“没精神”等词汇使用频繁，因为它带有一种更深层次、更持久的疲惫或病态感。例如，在日常对话中，朋友之间可能会说“你看起来好憔悴啊，是不是最近没休息好？”。在地域使用上，“憔悴”是一个全国通用的词汇，没有明显的地域差异，在普通话区普遍理解和使用。
常见语境 — 工作、旅行、媒体、文学、社交媒体
- 工作语境：常用于描述因工作压力大、长时间加班或过度劳累而导致员工身体和精神状态不佳。“他最近为了项目连续熬夜，整个人都显得很憔悴。”
- 旅行语境：长途跋涉、时差反应或旅途劳顿可能使旅行者显得憔悴。“经过二十多个小时的飞行，她走出机场时已是面容憔悴。”
- 媒体语境：新闻报道中常用来形容灾民、病人或遭受苦难者。“战争中的难民眼神空洞，面容憔悴，令人心痛。”
- 文学语境：文学作品中用“憔悴”来描绘人物的内心世界和外在形象，烘托氛围，增强感染力。“林黛玉病体缠绵，日渐憔悴，弱不禁风。”
- 社交媒体：年轻人有时会用“憔悴”来自嘲或表达疲惫，但通常会带有一丝幽默感或夸张成分。“期末周的我，已经憔悴得不成人形了。”
与相似词的比较 — 如何区别于近义词
- 憔悴 vs 疲惫 (píbèi)： “疲惫”侧重于身体和精神上的劳累、倦怠感，是一种主观感受，也可以是客观状态。而“憔悴”则更强调这种疲惫、疾病或忧虑在外表上的呈现，是一种可见的、病态的虚弱状态。一个人可能感到“疲惫”但外表不一定“憔悴”，但“憔悴”通常意味着其内在已经非常“疲惫”或不健康了。例如：他感到疲惫不堪，但脸上还没有显得憔悴。(He felt utterly exhausted, but his face didn't yet look haggard.)
- 憔悴 vs 瘦弱 (shòuruò)： “瘦弱”指身体瘦小、虚弱，可以是天生的体质，也可以是健康状况不佳的体现。“憔悴”则特指因消耗而导致的病态的、缺乏生气的瘦弱，它包含了“瘦弱”的成分，但更强调不健康的脸色和精神状态。一个瘦弱但健康的孩子不会被形容为憔悴。例如：那个孩子虽然瘦弱，但精神很好，一点也不憔悴。(Although the child was thin and weak, he was in good spirits and not haggard at all.)
- 憔悴 vs 苍老 (cānglǎo)： “苍老”特指因年老而显出的衰老状态，如皮肤松弛、皱纹增多等。“憔悴”则无关年龄，年轻人也可能因过度劳累或疾病而憔悴。憔悴是因消耗而显出的衰弱，苍老是因岁月而显出的衰老。例如：她虽然年轻，但因病痛折磨，显得十分憔悴，而不是苍老。(Although she was young, she looked very haggard due not to old age, but to suffering from illness.)
语域与语气 — 何时使用，何时避免
“憔悴”通常用于中性到略带负面的语境中，表达对个体状态的客观描述或主观担忧。它的语气是比较严肃和正式的，带有一种深沉的意味。当你想表达一个人因某种原因而显得非常虚弱、不健康、精神不佳时，使用“憔悴”非常恰当。例如，在关心朋友时：“你最近怎么这么憔悴，是不是遇到什么事了？”
应避免在轻松愉快的场合，或用于描述积极向上的状态。例如，不能说“她今天看起来很憔悴，因为她去健身了”，因为健身通常带来的是健康和活力，而不是憔悴。此外，在描述不熟悉的人时，直接说对方“憔悴”可能会显得不够礼貌，除非是出于职业判断（如医生）。
搭配语境 — 常用词语搭配解释
“憔悴”常与描述面部、神情、身体的词语搭配，以具体化其所指。例如：
- 面容憔悴 (miànróng qiáocuì)：最常见的搭配，指脸部看起来疲惫、瘦削、没有血色。强调的是脸部的外在表现。例句：他连日加班，面容憔悴，双眼布满血丝。
- 神情憔悴 (shénqíng qiáocuì)：指一个人的表情、眼神透露出疲惫、忧虑或缺乏精神。强调的是精神状态的体现。例句：失恋后，她整日郁郁寡欢，神情憔悴。
- 身体憔悴 (shēntǐ qiáocuì)：指身体整体状况不佳，显得虚弱、消瘦。强调的是身体的整体健康状况。例句：大病一场后，他身体憔悴，需要长时间调养。
- 显得憔悴 (xiǎndé qiáocuì)：表示看起来、呈现出憔悴的状态。例句：她最近心情不好，整个人都显得很憔悴。
- 日益憔悴 (rìyì qiáocuì)：表示憔悴的程度逐渐加深，常用于描述长期病痛或忧虑。例句：他的病情持续恶化，身体日益憔悴。
- 疲惫憔悴 (píbèi qiáocuì)：形容词叠加，强调既疲惫又在外表上显得虚弱不振。例句：连续几天的奔波让他疲惫憔悴。
这些搭配都生动地描绘了“憔悴”的不同侧面，帮助理解其在不同语境下的具体含义。
Examples
她最近照顾生病的母亲，显得十分憔悴。
everydayShe has been looking very haggard recently, caring for her sick mother.
长期处于高压之下，他的精神状态日渐憔悴。
formalUnder long-term high pressure, his mental state is becoming increasingly worn out.
哎呀，你看起来好憔悴啊，是不是没睡好？
informalOh dear, you look so haggard, didn't you sleep well?
研究表明，持续的心理压力会导致身体机能下降，从而表现出憔悴的外表。
academicStudies show that continuous psychological stress can lead to a decline in physical function, thus manifesting in a haggard appearance.
面对连续的加班，团队成员普遍面露憔悴，亟需调整工作节奏。
businessFacing continuous overtime, team members generally looked haggard and urgently needed to adjust their work pace.
秋风萧瑟，落叶满地，她那憔悴的身影在夕阳下拉得好长。
literaryThe autumn wind was bleak, fallen leaves covered the ground, and her haggard figure was stretched long by the setting sun.
经过一夜的通宵，他第二天早上顶着一张憔悴的脸去上班。
everydayAfter an all-nighter, he went to work the next morning with a haggard face.
战乱年代，人们衣衫褴褛，面容憔悴，生活异常艰辛。
formalIn times of war, people were ragged and haggard, living extremely difficult lives.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '憔悴' generally holds a neutral to slightly formal register, often appearing in written contexts like literature or news. While it can be used in spoken language, it carries a more profound sense of weariness or illness than simple 'tired.' It's universally understood across Chinese-speaking regions. Avoid using '憔悴' in lighthearted or positive contexts, as its connotation is inherently negative, implying suffering or ill health. It's also not typically used to describe inanimate objects, unless personified. On social media, it might be used self-deprecatingly or humorously to describe extreme fatigue.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using '憔悴' interchangeably with 'tired' (累). '憔悴' implies a visible, prolonged state of being worn out, not just momentary fatigue. For instance, don't say '我跑完步很憔悴' (I'm very haggard after running); '很累' (very tired) or '气喘吁吁' (gasping for breath) would be more appropriate. Another error is applying it to healthy, thin individuals; '憔悴' specifically denotes an unhealthy or unwell appearance. Misusing it in positive contexts, like '她很憔悴，因为她很开心' (She is haggard because she is happy), is also incorrect due to its negative connotation. Ensure the context truly reflects a state of physical or mental depletion.
Tips
Focus on Visible Signs
Remember '憔悴' describes a *visible* state. Think of pale skin, sunken eyes, or a generally worn-out look. It's not just feeling tired, but *looking* tired and unwell. For example, a doctor might describe a patient as looking '憔悴' due to prolonged illness.
Avoid Misuse with 'Healthy'
Never use '憔悴' to describe someone who is healthy, energetic, or simply thin. It always carries a negative connotation of being unwell or overly stressed. Saying '她虽然很瘦，但一点也不憔悴' (She is thin, but not haggard at all) highlights this distinction, showing she is thin but healthy.
Expressing Concern
In Chinese culture, noticing someone looks '憔悴' is often an opening to express care and concern. It's common to follow up with questions like '是不是没休息好？' (Didn't you rest well?) or '遇到什么事了？' (Did something happen?). It shows empathy and invites sharing.
Literary & Emotional Depth
For advanced learners, '憔悴' can add significant emotional depth in literary contexts. It implies not just physical exhaustion but also mental or emotional suffering. Consider its use in classic literature to evoke pity or highlight a character's inner turmoil, such as '林黛玉病体缠绵，日渐憔悴' (Lin Daiyu, constantly ill, grew increasingly haggard).
Word Origin
The word '憔悴' originates from classical Chinese. '憔' (qiáo) historically referred to a withered or emaciated state, often associated with plants or people. '悴' (cuì) also means withered, faded, or distressed. Combined, the two characters reinforce the idea of being worn out, withered, and showing signs of distress or ill health. The term has maintained its core meaning of describing a haggard and unwell appearance due to fatigue, illness, or worry throughout its linguistic evolution, reflecting a long-standing observation in Chinese culture about the visible signs of suffering.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, '憔悴' often evokes a sense of empathy and concern. Noticing someone looks '憔悴' can be a gentle way to express care, prompting inquiries about their well-being. It reflects a cultural value of observing and responding to others' physical and emotional states. In modern usage, especially on social media, younger generations might use '憔悴' with a touch of self-deprecating humor to describe their own exhaustion from work or studies, turning a traditionally serious word into a relatable meme. This shift shows how language adapts while still retaining its core meaning of being worn out.
Memory Tip
Imagine a '憔悴' person as a 'CHIAO-tsui' (qiáo cuì) plant that's been neglected. Its leaves are withered and droopy, its colors faded – it looks utterly worn out and unwell. Just like a plant needs water and care, a '憔悴' person needs rest and recovery. Think 'CHIAO-tsui' = 'CHILL-out' + 'SUFFERING' to remember the meaning of looking exhausted and unwell.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions“憔悴”主要用作形容词，可以作谓语、定语或补语。作为谓语时，常与“显得”、“看起来”等词搭配，如“他显得很憔悴”。作定语时，修饰名词，如“憔悴的面容”。作补语时，如“他累得面容憔悴”。
导致一个人“憔悴”的原因有很多，最常见的包括长期疲劳、疾病、精神上的忧虑或压力、营养不良以及睡眠不足等。这些因素会消耗人的精力和元气，使其外表和精神状态都受到影响，呈现出不健康、不精神的样子。
“憔悴”是一个介于正式与非正式之间的词汇。它在书面语中（如文学作品、新闻报道）使用频率较高，显得比较正式和文雅。但在日常口语中，人们也会用它来表达对他人状态的关心或描述，因此也具有一定的非正式性，属于中性偏文学的词语。
通常情况下，“憔悴”只用来形容人或拟人化的事物。例如，我们可以说“花儿因缺水而憔悴”，这是将花拟人化了。但一般不会用它来形容无生命的物体，因为它描述的是一种生命体因消耗而呈现出的虚弱和不健康状态。
“疲惫”侧重于身体和精神上的劳累感，是一种内在的感受和状态。而“憔悴”则强调这种劳累、疾病或忧虑在外表上的具体呈现，是可见的、病态的虚弱状态。一个人可能感到疲惫，但外表不一定憔悴；但如果一个人憔悴，那么他通常也感到疲惫。
“瘦弱”指身体瘦小、虚弱，可以是健康的体质，也可以是病态的。而“憔悴”则特指因消耗而导致的病态的、缺乏生气的瘦弱，它包含了“瘦弱”的成分，但更强调不健康的脸色和精神状态。一个瘦弱但健康的孩子不会被形容为憔悴。
“憔悴”的拼音是 qiáo cuì。其中，“憔”读作 qiáo，第二声；“悴”读作 cuì，第四声。发音时要注意声调的准确性，特别是“悴”的去声，要发得干脆有力，才能准确表达这个词的含义。
“憔悴”这个词通常带有负面含义，形容的是一种不健康、不精神、被消耗的状态。它没有积极的含义，总是用来表达担忧、同情或描述一种令人不悦的外表和精神面貌。因此，在表达积极情绪或状态时，应避免使用此词。
在现代社交媒体上，“憔悴”也比较常见，尤其是在年轻人中。他们有时会用它来自嘲，表达自己因学习、工作或生活压力而感到疲惫不堪、形象不佳的状态。这种用法常带有幽默或夸张的成分，以引起共鸣，比如“期末周的我，已经憔悴得像个僵尸了”。
要让“憔悴”的表达更具强调性，可以在其前面加上程度副词，如“十分憔悴”、“非常憔悴”、“极其憔悴”等，以增强其程度。例如，“她最近工作压力大，整个人显得十分憔悴”。这样可以更强烈地表达出人物状态的糟糕程度。
Test Yourself
他最近工作非常忙，每天只睡几个小时，所以看起来面容十分______。
根据句意，主人公因工作忙、睡眠少而显得不好，因此“憔悴”最符合语境。其他选项均与句意相反。
哪个词最能形容一个人因长期失眠而显得疲惫不堪？
长期失眠会导致身体虚弱、精神不振，外表呈现出疲惫、病态的样子，这正是“憔悴”的含义。其他选项都是形容精神饱满、健康有活力的状态。
请用“憔悴”造一个句子，描述一个因生病而虚弱的人。
这个句子通过“大病初愈”、“脸色苍白”和“身体依然”等词语，清晰地描绘了一个因生病而虚弱、外表不佳的人，准确使用了“憔悴”来形容这种状态。
她的脸庞看起来很憔悴，因为她正在跑步。
“憔悴”通常指因病痛、劳累或忧虑导致的长期虚弱状态，而跑步只会让人暂时感到疲惫或气喘吁吁，不会导致憔悴。原句语境不符，应改为“疲惫”或“气喘吁吁”。
Score: /4
Summary
To master '憔悴,' remember it vividly describes a visible, worn-out appearance stemming from deep fatigue, illness, or worry, conveying a sense of concern or sympathy.
- Describes someone looking exhausted, unwell, or worn-out.
- Often results from fatigue, illness, or deep worry.
- Neutral to slightly negative register, common in literature and daily speech.
- Mistake: Don't confuse with just 'tired'; it implies a visible, prolonged state.
- Cultural note: Often used to express concern or sympathy for someone's struggle.
Focus on Visible Signs
Remember '憔悴' describes a *visible* state. Think of pale skin, sunken eyes, or a generally worn-out look. It's not just feeling tired, but *looking* tired and unwell. For example, a doctor might describe a patient as looking '憔悴' due to prolonged illness.
Avoid Misuse with 'Healthy'
Never use '憔悴' to describe someone who is healthy, energetic, or simply thin. It always carries a negative connotation of being unwell or overly stressed. Saying '她虽然很瘦，但一点也不憔悴' (She is thin, but not haggard at all) highlights this distinction, showing she is thin but healthy.
Expressing Concern
In Chinese culture, noticing someone looks '憔悴' is often an opening to express care and concern. It's common to follow up with questions like '是不是没休息好？' (Didn't you rest well?) or '遇到什么事了？' (Did something happen?). It shows empathy and invites sharing.
Literary & Emotional Depth
For advanced learners, '憔悴' can add significant emotional depth in literary contexts. It implies not just physical exhaustion but also mental or emotional suffering. Consider its use in classic literature to evoke pity or highlight a character's inner turmoil, such as '林黛玉病体缠绵，日渐憔悴' (Lin Daiyu, constantly ill, grew increasingly haggard).
Examples
6 of 8她最近照顾生病的母亲，显得十分憔悴。
She has been looking very haggard recently, caring for her sick mother.
长期处于高压之下，他的精神状态日渐憔悴。
Under long-term high pressure, his mental state is becoming increasingly worn out.
哎呀，你看起来好憔悴啊，是不是没睡好？
Oh dear, you look so haggard, didn't you sleep well?
研究表明，持续的心理压力会导致身体机能下降，从而表现出憔悴的外表。
Studies show that continuous psychological stress can lead to a decline in physical function, thus manifesting in a haggard appearance.
面对连续的加班，团队成员普遍面露憔悴，亟需调整工作节奏。
Facing continuous overtime, team members generally looked haggard and urgently needed to adjust their work pace.
秋风萧瑟，落叶满地，她那憔悴的身影在夕阳下拉得好长。
The autumn wind was bleak, fallen leaves covered the ground, and her haggard figure was stretched long by the setting sun.
