Use '消瘦' to describe unhealthy thinness resulting from negative circumstances like illness or poverty.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes unhealthy thinness due to illness or hardship.
- Implies weight loss and weakness.
- Often used for people and animals in negative contexts.
Overview
“消瘦” (xiāo shòu) 是一个形容词，用来描述人或动物的身体因为各种原因变得非常瘦弱。这种瘦通常不是健康的、苗条的体型，而是带有负面含义的，暗示着健康状况不佳。它强调的是体重的明显减轻和身体的虚弱感。
“消瘦”常用来描述因疾病、长期缺乏营养、过度劳累、精神压力过大等导致身体状况下降的情况。它可以直接用来形容人或动物，也可以用来描述身体的某个部位，如“面颊消瘦”。它也可以和表示程度的副词连用，如“明显消瘦”、“严重消瘦”。
这个词经常出现在描述病人健康状况的语境中，例如：“他病了好几个月，人明显消瘦了。”也可能出现在描述生活条件艰苦的场景，如：“战乱过后，许多灾民形容枯槁，身体消瘦。”在动物相关的描述中，也可能用到，比如：“这只流浪猫看起来非常消瘦，需要救助。”
与“瘦”相比，“消瘦”更强调身体因负面因素（如疾病、贫困）而变瘦，带有病态或虚弱的意味。而“瘦” (shòu) 是一个更中性或有时甚至是褒义的词，可以指健康的苗条体型（如“身材瘦”），也可以指单纯的瘦。“苗条” (miáo tiao) 则通常是褒义，形容身材匀称、纤细。“骨感” (gǔ gǎn) 也是形容瘦，但更侧重于瘦到能看出骨头的程度，有时也带有一点负面含义，但不如“消瘦”那样直接与疾病或困苦相关。
Examples
他病了好几个月，人明显消瘦了许多。
everydayHe has been ill for several months and has become noticeably thinner.
在经历了长期的饥荒后，孩子们都面黄肌瘦，身体消瘦。
formalAfter experiencing a long period of famine, the children were sallow and emaciated.
哎，你看那只流浪狗，瘦得都皮包骨头了，真可怜。
informalSigh, look at that stray dog, it's so skinny, just skin and bones, poor thing.
某些慢性疾病的晚期症状之一可能包括进行性消瘦。
academicProgressive emaciation can be one of the late-stage symptoms of certain chronic diseases.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
面黄肌瘦
sallow and thin (describing someone in poor health or condition)
形容枯槁
gaunt and haggard (often used for people suffering hardship)
Often Confused With
'瘦' (shòu) is a general term for 'thin'. It can be neutral or even positive (e.g., describing a healthy slim figure). '消瘦' (xiāo shòu) specifically implies unhealthy thinness, often due to illness, hardship, or distress.
'苗条' (miáo tiao) is almost always a positive adjective, meaning 'slender' or 'willowy'. It describes an attractive, well-proportioned slimness, unlike '消瘦' which carries negative connotations.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
Use '消瘦' when you want to emphasize that the thinness is a result of negative circumstances like illness, lack of food, or severe stress. It carries a sense of concern or pity. Avoid using it to describe someone who is simply slim or fit in a healthy way.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using '消瘦' to describe someone who is intentionally dieting or naturally slim, as this ignores the negative implications of the word. Another error is confusing it with '瘦' (shòu), which is a broader term with less negative weight.
Tips
Focus on Negative Causes
Remember that '消瘦' usually implies a negative reason for being thin, such as illness or hardship, not just a preference for a slim figure.
Avoid for Healthy Slimness
Do not use '消瘦' to describe someone who is naturally slim or has achieved a healthy, toned physique through exercise.
Health Indicator
In Chinese culture, significant weight loss ('消瘦') is often seen as a visible indicator of poor health or distress, prompting concern from others.
Word Origin
The character '消' (xiāo) originally meant to melt, dissolve, or disappear. '瘦' (shòu) means thin or lean. Together, '消瘦' literally suggests a 'melting away' or 'disappearing' of flesh, leading to thinness, emphasizing the loss of body mass.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, sudden or significant weight loss is often a cause for concern, as it's typically associated with health problems. People might ask about one's well-being if they notice someone has become '消瘦'.
Memory Tip
Think of '消' (xiāo) as 'disappear' or 'wane', and '瘦' (shòu) as 'thin'. So, '消瘦' means your healthy body mass seems to be 'disappearing', making you worryingly thin.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“消瘦”通常指因疾病、营养不良等原因导致的身体虚弱、体重减轻，带有负面含义。而“瘦”是一个更广泛的词，可以指健康的苗条，也可以指单纯的瘦，含义相对中性。
一般不直接用来形容健康、苗条的人。它更常用于描述因健康问题或困境而变瘦的情况。
“减肥”是为了追求更健康或更理想的体型而主动减少体重，“消瘦”则是身体在非自愿情况下因负面原因变瘦，两者含义不同。
不适合用于形容身材匀称、健康的苗条体型，或者形容瘦得有力的健美体型。
Test Yourself
由于长期缺乏食物，他变得十分______。
这里描述的是因缺乏食物导致的身体状况不佳，所以“消瘦”是最合适的词。
“消瘦”主要形容哪种情况？
“消瘦”的核心含义是因负面原因导致的体重减轻和身体虚弱。
用“消瘦”造句。
这个句子准确地表达了因生病导致身体变瘦的含义。
Score: /3
Summary
Use '消瘦' to describe unhealthy thinness resulting from negative circumstances like illness or poverty.
- Describes unhealthy thinness due to illness or hardship.
- Implies weight loss and weakness.
- Often used for people and animals in negative contexts.
Focus on Negative Causes
Remember that '消瘦' usually implies a negative reason for being thin, such as illness or hardship, not just a preference for a slim figure.
Avoid for Healthy Slimness
Do not use '消瘦' to describe someone who is naturally slim or has achieved a healthy, toned physique through exercise.
Health Indicator
In Chinese culture, significant weight loss ('消瘦') is often seen as a visible indicator of poor health or distress, prompting concern from others.
Examples
4 of 4他病了好几个月，人明显消瘦了许多。
He has been ill for several months and has become noticeably thinner.
在经历了长期的饥荒后，孩子们都面黄肌瘦，身体消瘦。
After experiencing a long period of famine, the children were sallow and emaciated.
哎，你看那只流浪狗，瘦得都皮包骨头了，真可怜。
Sigh, look at that stray dog, it's so skinny, just skin and bones, poor thing.
某些慢性疾病的晚期症状之一可能包括进行性消瘦。
Progressive emaciation can be one of the late-stage symptoms of certain chronic diseases.
