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B2 adjective 9 min read

困乏

kunfa

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 困乏 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 困乏 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn '累' (lèi) for tired and '困' (kùn) for sleepy. '困乏' (kùnfá) is a bit too advanced for daily conversation at this stage. However, you can think of it as a combination of these two simple words. Imagine you are very, very tired after a long day of playing, and you also want to go to bed immediately. That feeling is what '困乏' describes. In A1, you don't need to use this word, but if you see the character '困' (a tree in a box), remember it means someone feels 'trapped' by their need for sleep. The character '乏' is like a person who is so tired they are leaning over. Together, they show a person who has no energy left. If you want to impress a teacher, you could say '我很累' (I am tired), but knowing that '困乏' exists will help you later when you read more difficult stories. For now, just remember: 困 (sleepy) + 乏 (tired/no energy) = 困乏.

By A2, you are expanding your adjectives. You might know '非常累' (very tired). '困乏' (kùnfá) is a formal way to say 'very tired and sleepy.' You will start to see this word in short stories or simple news clips. It is an adjective, so you use it after '很' (hěn) or '非常' (fēicháng). For example: '他走了一整天，感到很困乏' (He walked all day and felt very fatigued). At this level, focus on recognizing the word when you read it. Notice that it often appears in books rather than when friends are talking. If a friend says '我困了' (I'm sleepy), that's normal. If a book says '他感到困乏', it's creating a more serious or poetic mood. Try to remember that '乏' also appears in '疲乏' (pífá), which is another word for tired. Learning '困乏' helps you understand that Chinese often combines two similar meanings to make a more formal word.

At B1, you should be able to distinguish between different types of tiredness. '困乏' (kùnfá) is a 'Level 4' word in many systems, meaning it's expected for intermediate learners. You should use it when writing essays about health, travel, or work. Instead of always using '很累', try using '感到困乏' (gǎndào kùnfá) to describe a deeper exhaustion. For example, '因为昨晚没睡好，今天感到很困乏' (Because I didn't sleep well last night, I feel very fatigued today). You should also notice how it functions in sentences: it often describes a physical state that needs to be 'relieved' (缓解 huǎnjiě) or 'eliminated' (消除 xiāochú). This level is where you start using the word to add variety to your vocabulary. It's also a good time to learn its common partners, like '精神困乏' (mental fatigue) or '身体困乏' (physical fatigue).

At the B2 level (the target level for this word), you should have a firm grasp of '困乏' (kùnfá) and its nuances. You should understand that it implies a state of being both drowsy and physically drained. You can use it fluently in written reports and formal discussions. You should also be able to distinguish it from '疲惫' (píbèi), which is more about being 'worn out' or 'exhausted,' and '困倦' (kùnjuàn), which is specifically about the urge to sleep. At B2, you should be comfortable using '困乏' as an attributive adjective, such as '困乏的双眼' (fatigued eyes). You should also understand the cultural context—that this word is often used in medical descriptions or high-quality literature to evoke a specific atmosphere of weariness. You should be able to use it to describe the effects of 'long-term stress' or 'chronic lack of sleep' in a formal way.

For C1 learners, '困乏' (kùnfá) is a versatile tool for precise description. You should be able to use it to create tone and mood in your writing. You might use it to describe a society that is 'weary' or a character whose '困乏' is a symptom of a deeper existential crisis. You should also be aware of its historical and literary roots. In classical-style modern prose, '困乏' provides a rhythmic and formal balance. You should be able to use it in complex sentence structures, such as '在物质匮乏与精神困乏的双重压力下...' (Under the dual pressure of material scarcity and mental fatigue...). At this level, you should also be familiar with idioms and four-character phrases that might include these characters, although '困乏' itself is usually a standalone two-character adjective. You should also be able to recognize it in classical Chinese texts where '乏' might simply mean 'to lack.'

At the C2 level, your understanding of '困乏' (kùnfá) is near-native. You recognize the subtle difference in 'flavor' between '困乏', '疲乏', '疲敝', and '怠倦'. You can use '困乏' in academic papers regarding sociology or psychology to describe human states with absolute precision. You understand how the word interacts with prosody in a sentence—how the falling tones of 'kùn' and 'fá' can emphasize the 'heaviness' of the state being described. You can also appreciate the word's use in poetry or high-level journalism where it might be used metaphorically. You are also aware of regional variations or specific professional jargons where '困乏' might be used, such as in traditional Chinese medicine diagnoses. Your usage is not just grammatically correct but stylistically perfect, knowing exactly when '困乏' is the only word that will suffice to capture a specific type of human experience.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

困乏 in 30 Seconds

困乏 (kùnfá) is a B2-level adjective meaning sleepy and fatigued.
It is more formal than the common words '累' (tired) and '困' (sleepy).
It is often used in literature, formal reports, and medical contexts.
Commonly paired with verbs like '感到' (feel) and '消除' (eliminate).

The Chinese term 困乏 (kùnfá) is a sophisticated adjective that encapsulates a profound state of being both sleepy and physically exhausted. While a beginner might simply use '累' (lèi) for tired or '想睡觉' (xiǎng shuìjiào) for sleepy, the intermediate to advanced learner uses 困乏 to describe a heavy, weary sensation that often follows long periods of exertion or lack of rest. It is a compound of two characters: 困 (kùn), which visually depicts a tree confined within a box, signifying being trapped or tired, and 乏 (fá), which suggests a lack of energy or being worn out.

Formal Nuance: Unlike the colloquial '累', 困乏 carries a literary and formal weight. You will encounter it frequently in written literature, formal reports on health, or when a speaker wishes to emphasize the depth of their fatigue in a more refined manner. It is not just the 'I worked out' tired; it is the 'I have been traveling for 20 hours and my soul is weary' tired.
Sensory Description: The word evokes a specific physical sensation: heavy eyelids, a slight fog in the mind, and limbs that feel like lead. It describes the intersection where the need for sleep meets the depletion of physical strength.

“长途跋涉之后，他感到全身困乏，倒头便睡。”
(After a long trek, he felt completely fatigued and fell asleep immediately.)

When using this word, consider the environment. In a casual chat with friends after a gym session, '累死我了' (lèi sǐ wǒ le) is more natural. However, when writing a journal entry about a taxing journey or describing a character in a story who has been working under high pressure, 困乏 provides the necessary gravitas and descriptive precision. It is also common in medical or psychological contexts to describe chronic fatigue.

“春天的午后，阳光温暖，让人感到阵阵困乏。”
(On a spring afternoon, the warm sunlight makes one feel waves of drowsiness.)

Etymological Breakdown: The character 困 (kùn) is an ideogram of a tree (木) inside an enclosure (囗). Imagine a tree that cannot grow because it is restricted; this is the essence of being 'tired' or 'trapped.' The character 乏 (fá) historically related to turning over or lacking. Together, they create a picture of energy that has been restricted and then completely depleted.

In summary, 困乏 is your go-to word for describing a state of exhaustion that is more than just a temporary lack of energy. It is deep, it is heavy, and it is often the result of sustained effort or significant lack of rest. Mastering this word will significantly elevate your Chinese from 'functional' to 'expressive.'

Using 困乏 (kùnfá) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical flexibility and its typical collocations. As an adjective, it primarily functions as a predicate (following a subject and usually an adverb of degree) or as an attributive (modifying a noun). It is rarely used as a simple exclamation like '累!' (Lèi!). Instead, it describes a state of being.

Structure: Subject + Adverb + 困乏: This is the most common usage. Adverbs like 很 (hěn), 非常 (fēicháng), or 格外 (géwài) are used to intensify the state. For example: '他显得非常困乏' (He looks extremely fatigued). The verb 感到 (gǎndào - to feel) is also a frequent partner: '我感到身体困乏'.

“连续加班一周后，员工们都显得十分困乏。”
(After working overtime for a week straight, the employees all appeared very fatigued.)

Structure: 困乏 + 的 + Noun: When modifying a noun, it often describes a person's physical state or appearance. Example: '困乏的双眼' (Fatigued eyes) or '困乏的身躯' (A weary body). This usage is particularly common in descriptive writing and literature.

Another important aspect is the combination with specific verbs. For instance, 消除 (xiāochú - to eliminate) is often paired with 困乏. One might say '洗个热水澡可以消除困乏' (Taking a hot bath can eliminate fatigue). This suggests that 困乏 is something that can be 'removed' or 'washed away,' emphasizing its physical nature.

“这种药物能有效缓解精神困乏。”
(This medicine can effectively relieve mental fatigue.)

Negation: To negate the state, simply use 不 (bù). However, it is more common to say someone is '精神充沛' (jīngshén chōngpèi - full of energy) than to say they are '不困乏'. Use '不感到困乏' for a more natural sounding negation.

While you might not hear 困乏 (kùnfá) in a loud, bustling wet market, it is a staple of several specific environments and media types in China. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the 'vibe' of the word.

Literature and Storytelling: In novels, especially those of the 20th century or modern literary fiction, 困乏 is used to paint a picture of a character's internal state. It adds a layer of exhaustion that '累' cannot reach. If a character has been wandering the streets of Shanghai in the rain, the author will describe their 困乏 to evoke sympathy in the reader.
News and Formal Reporting: News anchors or documentary narrators use 困乏 when discussing public health, the effects of long-distance driving, or the conditions of workers in demanding industries. It sounds professional and objective. For example, a report on road safety might mention '驾驶员因困乏导致事故' (Drivers causing accidents due to fatigue).

“在长达十小时的会议后，每个人都显得面色困乏。”
(After a ten-hour meeting, everyone looked weary and fatigued.)

In historical dramas (Wuxia or Xianxia), characters often use more archaic or formal language. After a long battle or a journey across the mountains, a hero might say, '身体略感困乏' (I feel slightly fatigued) rather than the modern '我累了'. This helps maintain the period-appropriate atmosphere.

“由于长期的营养不良，他经常感到困乏无力。”
(Due to long-term malnutrition, he often feels fatigued and weak.)

Educational Contexts: Teachers might use this word when describing the state of students during exam season or when discussing the importance of sleep in a biology or health class. It is a 'vocabulary word' that students are expected to know for the HSK and Gaokao (college entrance exam).

While 困乏 (kùnfá) is a useful word, its formal nature makes it easy to misapply. The most common errors involve using it in too casual a context or confusing it with words that look similar but have vastly different meanings.

Mistake 1: Over-Formalizing Casual Conversation: If you just finished a 15-minute jog and tell your friend '我很困乏', they might look at you strangely. It sounds like you are reading from a book. In casual settings, use '累' (lèi) or '困' (kùn). Save 困乏 for when you are describing a deep, systemic exhaustion or when writing.

“不要说：‘我跑了五分钟，现在很困乏。’ 要说：‘我跑了五分钟，现在有点累。’”
(Don't say: 'I ran for five minutes, now I'm fatigued.' Say: 'I ran for five minutes, now I'm a bit tired.')

Mistake 2: Confusing with '贫乏' (pínfá): The character 乏 (fá) means 'lack' or 'shortage.' Learners often confuse 困乏 (sleepy/fatigued) with 贫乏 (pínfá - poor/scanty/lacking). You might accidentally say your 'knowledge is 困乏' when you mean your 'knowledge is 贫乏' (知识贫乏). Remember: 困乏 is about energy; 贫乏 is about quantity.

Mistake 3: Misusing as a Verb: 困乏 is an adjective. You cannot '困乏' someone else. You can '使人困乏' (make someone fatigued) or '感到困乏' (feel fatigued), but you cannot use it as a direct action verb like 'to fatigue'.

Finally, be careful with the nuance of 'sleepiness.' While 困乏 includes being sleepy, it is much heavier than just '困'. If you are in class and just need a coffee, you are '困'. If you haven't slept in three days and your body is shutting down, you are 困乏.

Chinese has a rich vocabulary for fatigue. To truly master the language, you must know when to choose 困乏 (kùnfá) over its synonyms. Each word carries a slightly different shade of meaning and belongs to a different register.

困乏 (kùnfá) vs. 疲惫 (píbèi): 困乏 emphasizes the combination of sleepiness and physical weariness. 疲惫 (píbèi) is even stronger, often used for extreme exhaustion or being 'burned out.' You might feel 困乏 after a long day, but you feel 疲惫 after a year of high-stress work. 疲惫 is often used for mental or spiritual exhaustion as well.
困乏 (kùnfá) vs. 疲倦 (píjuàn): 疲倦 (píjuàn) is very close to 困乏 but is more commonly used in modern mainland Chinese. It also describes being tired and sleepy. However, 困乏 feels slightly more 'heavy' and physical, whereas 疲倦 can sometimes refer to being 'tired of' something (though 厌倦 is better for that).
困乏 (kùnfá) vs. 困倦 (kùnjuàn): 困倦 (kùnjuàn) focuses almost entirely on the 'sleepy' aspect. If your eyes are closing during a movie, you are 困倦. If your whole body feels like it's lacking energy AND you are sleepy, you are 困乏.

“虽然他很疲倦，但因为心里有事，一点也不困倦。”
(Although he was tired, because he had things on his mind, he wasn't sleepy at all.)

When writing, using 困乏 shows a higher level of literacy. It suggests that you understand the nuances of physical sensation and can describe them with precision. If you are describing the state of a nation or a group, you might use 疲软 (píruǎn - weak/fatigued in an economic sense), but for individuals, 困乏 remains a powerful, evocative choice.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character '困' is one of the 64 hexagrams in the I Ching (Book of Changes), representing 'Oppression' or 'Exhaustion.' It literally shows a tree that has run out of space to grow.

Pronunciation Guide

UK kùn fá

US kùn fá

Primary stress on the first syllable 'kùn'.

Rhymes With

kùn rhymes with: 问 (wèn), 顿 (dùn), 训 (xùn) fá rhymes with: 答 (dá), 拿 (ná), 爬 (pá)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'fá' with a flat first tone.
Confusing the 'fá' sound with 'fà' (hair).
Failing to drop the tone enough on 'kùn'.
Mumbling the 'n' in 'kùn'.
Confusing 'kùn' with 'kūn' (as in Kunming).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in literature and news; requires knowledge of intermediate characters.

Writing 4/5

Requires understanding the formal register to use correctly.

Speaking 3/5

Used in formal speech, but '累' is more common for daily talk.

Listening 4/5

Must distinguish from '疲乏' or '困倦' in fast speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

累 (lèi) 困 (kùn) 非常 (fēicháng) 感到 (gǎndào) 休息 (xiūxi)

Learn Next

疲惫 (píbèi) 倦怠 (juàndài) 衰竭 (shuāijié) 充沛 (chōngpèi) 缓解 (huǎnjiě)

Advanced

萎靡不振 (wěimǐ bùzhèn) 精疲力竭 (jīngpí lìjié) 心力交瘁 (xīnlì jiāocuì)

Grammar to Know

Adverbs of Degree

他感到**非常**困乏。

Resultative Complements

他累**得**非常困乏。

Attributive 'de'

他那**困乏的**眼神。

Cause and Effect (由于...所以...)

由于没睡觉，所以他很困乏。

Concessive (虽然...但是...)

虽然很困乏，但他坚持工作。

Examples by Level

我很困乏。

I am very fatigued/sleepy.

Subject + 很 + Adjective.

他不困乏。

He is not fatigued.

Negation with 不.

你困乏吗？

Are you fatigued?

Question with 吗.

爸爸很困乏。

Dad is very fatigued.

Simple subject-predicate.

学生们很困乏。

The students are very fatigued.

Plural subject.

我觉得困乏。

I feel fatigued.

Using '觉得' (to feel).

今天我很困乏。

Today I am very fatigued.

Time adverb '今天'.

由于工作，他很困乏。

Due to work, he is very fatigued.

Using '由于' (due to).

走了一天，我感到很困乏。

After walking all day, I feel very fatigued.

Verb phrase + 感到 + Adjective.

喝咖啡可以减少困乏。

Drinking coffee can reduce fatigue.

Noun usage as an object.

他看起来非常困乏。

He looks extremely fatigued.

Using '看起来' (looks like).

昨晚没睡，他现在很困乏。

He didn't sleep last night, so he is very fatigued now.

Cause and effect.

这种天气让人感到困乏。

This kind of weather makes people feel fatigued.

Using '让' (to make/cause).

他带着困乏的身体回家了。

He went home with a fatigued body.

Attributive usage: Adjective + 的 + Noun.

虽然困乏，但他还在学习。

Although fatigued, he is still studying.

Using '虽然...但是...' (although...but...).

休息一下就不会困乏了。

Rest a bit and you won't be fatigued anymore.

Conditional result.

长途旅行后，大家都感到十分困乏。

After the long journey, everyone felt quite fatigued.

Adverb '十分' (quite/very).

精神上的困乏比身体上的更难受。

Mental fatigue is more uncomfortable than physical fatigue.

Comparison structure.

洗个热水澡能有效消除困乏。

Taking a hot bath can effectively eliminate fatigue.

Using '消除' (to eliminate).

他那困乏的眼神显示他已经很久没休息了。

His fatigued eyes showed he hadn't rested for a long time.

Complex attributive phrase.

由于过度劳累，他经常感到困乏无力。

Due to overwork, he often feels fatigued and weak.

Compound adjective '困乏无力'.

春天容易让人产生困乏的感觉。

Spring easily makes people have a feeling of fatigue.

Using '产生...的感觉'.

即便感到困乏，他依然坚持完成了任务。

Even though he felt fatigued, he still insisted on completing the task.

Using '即便...依然...' (even if...still...).

这种困乏感是由于缺乏铁质引起的。

This feeling of fatigue is caused by a lack of iron.

Passive structure '是由于...引起的'.

连续的高强度工作使他陷入了极度的困乏之中。

Continuous high-intensity work plunged him into extreme fatigue.

Using '陷入...之中' (plunged into...).

他试图通过运动来摆脱这种困乏的状态。

He tried to get rid of this fatigued state through exercise.

Using '摆脱' (to get rid of/shake off).

这种困乏不仅是生理上的，更是心理上的。

This fatigue is not only physiological but also psychological.

Using '不仅是...更是...' (not only...but also...).

药物的副作用之一就是让人感到困乏。

One of the side effects of the medicine is making people feel fatigued.

Noun phrase as a subject.

在困乏的午后，一杯浓茶是最好的慰藉。

On a fatigued afternoon, a cup of strong tea is the best comfort.

Attributive use in a prepositional phrase.

他那困乏的语气透露出他内心的无奈。

His fatigued tone revealed his inner helplessness.

Using '透露' (to reveal).

长期处于困乏状态会影响工作效率。

Being in a fatigued state for a long time will affect work efficiency.

Subject is a complex phrase.

通过合理的饮食和休息，可以缓解身体的困乏。

Through a reasonable diet and rest, physical fatigue can be relieved.

Using '通过...可以...' (through...can...).

现代人常有的这种困乏，往往源于生活节奏的过快。

The fatigue common in modern people often stems from the excessive pace of life.

Using '源于' (stems from/originates in).

他笔下的角色总是带着一种难以言说的困乏感。

The characters in his writing always carry an indescribable sense of fatigue.

Using '难以言说' (indescribable).

在这种极度困乏的情况下，做出任何决定都是不明智的。

In this state of extreme fatigue, making any decision is unwise.

Complex conditional phrase.

城市的喧嚣之后，是一阵阵袭来的精神困乏。

After the city's clamor, waves of mental fatigue strike.

Using '袭来' (to strike/attack).

他试图掩饰自己的困乏，但频繁的哈欠出卖了他。

He tried to hide his fatigue, but frequent yawning gave him away.

Using '出卖' (to betray/give away).

这种困乏如影随形，无论他怎么休息都无法摆脱。

This fatigue follows him like a shadow; no matter how he rests, he cannot shake it off.

Using '如影随形' (idiom: follow like a shadow).

文章深刻地探讨了当代青年在竞争压力下的心理困乏。

The article profoundly explores the psychological fatigue of contemporary youth under competitive pressure.

Formal academic/journalistic style.

那是一种由于长期缺乏理想支撑而产生的灵魂困乏。

That is a spiritual fatigue caused by a long-term lack of ideal support.

Metaphorical usage.

其辞藻虽华丽，却难掩其思想之困乏。

Though the rhetoric is brilliant, it cannot hide the fatigue (poverty) of its thought.

Classical/Literary structure '难掩其...之...'.

在漫长的历史长河中，民族的困乏往往预示着变革的到来。

In the long course of history, the fatigue of a nation often portends the arrival of change.

Abstract, high-level historical analysis.

他以一种近乎冷漠的困乏，审视着周围发生的一切。

With a near-indifferent fatigue, he scrutinized everything happening around him.

Complex adverbial phrase '以一种...的...'.

这种困乏感并非偶然，而是长期社会异化的必然结果。

This sense of fatigue is not accidental, but the inevitable result of long-term social alienation.

Sociological/Philosophical register.

当身体的困乏达到极限时，意识反而进入了一种奇异的清醒状态。

When physical fatigue reaches its limit, consciousness instead enters a strange state of clarity.

Using '当...时' with an ironic '反而'.

诗人将这种困乏比作秋日里凋零的残叶，透着一股肃杀之气。

The poet compares this fatigue to withered leaves in autumn, exuding an air of desolation.

Literary analysis register.

他在作品中通过对这种困乏的描写，消解了英雄主义的宏大叙事。

In his works, through the description of this fatigue, he deconstructs the grand narrative of heroism.

Literary theory register.

这种困乏已渗入骨髓，成为他生命中无法分割的一部分。

This fatigue has seeped into his marrow, becoming an inseparable part of his life.

Metaphorical usage '渗入骨髓'.

Common Collocations

感到困乏

消除困乏

身体困乏

精神困乏

显得困乏

极度困乏

缓解困乏

困乏的双眼

阵阵困乏

困乏无力

Common Phrases

困乏不堪

— Extremely fatigued and unable to bear it.

走了一整天，他已经困乏不堪。

身心困乏

— Both body and mind are fatigued.

长期的压力让他身心困乏。

略感困乏

— Feeling slightly fatigued.

工作了几个小时，我略感困乏。

倍感困乏

— Feeling especially or doubly fatigued.

在这个阴雨天，我倍感困乏。

四肢困乏

— Limbs feeling weak and fatigued.

生病后，他感到四肢困乏。

精神困乏

— Mental weariness or lack of focus.

长时间的阅读导致精神困乏。

消除困乏

— To get rid of the fatigue.

洗热水澡是消除困乏的好办法。

掩饰困乏

— To hide one's fatigue.

他试图在客人面前掩饰困乏。

处于困乏

— To be in a state of fatigue.

他长期处于困乏状态。

因困乏而...

— Because of fatigue, then...

他因困乏而睡着了。

Often Confused With

困乏 vs 贫乏

Means 'lacking' or 'poor' (e.g., knowledge/resources).

困乏 vs 困苦

Means 'hardship' or 'misery' in life.

困乏 vs 困顿

Means 'exhausted' but often implies being in a difficult situation.

Idioms & Expressions

"昏昏欲睡"

— Drowsy and ready to fall asleep.

午后的演讲让人昏昏欲睡。

Neutral

"精疲力竭"

— Completely exhausted; energy all gone.

马拉松赛后，他精疲力竭。

Neutral

"疲惫不堪"

— Extremely worn out.

连续出差让他疲惫不堪。

Formal

"心力交瘁"

— Mentally and physically exhausted.

为了照顾病人，她已经心力交瘁。

Formal

"垂头丧气"

— Dejected and discouraged (can look like fatigue).

考试失败后，他垂头丧气地走回家。

Neutral

"无精打采"

— Listless; lacking energy or spirit.

他今天无精打采的，是不是病了？

Informal

"筋疲力尽"

— Muscles tired and energy exhausted.

爬完山后，大家都筋疲力尽。

Neutral

"困兽犹斗"

— A cornered beast still fights (contains '困' but different context).

虽然失败已定，他仍困兽犹斗。

Literary

"乏善可陈"

— Nothing good to say (contains '乏' but means lacking).

这部电影乏善可陈。

Formal

"困顿流离"

— Tired and wandering (living a hard life).

战争让他困顿流离。

Literary

Easily Confused

困乏 vs 疲倦

Both mean tired and sleepy.

疲倦 is more common in modern speech; 困乏 feels slightly more physical and formal.

工作一天后，他感到很疲倦。

困乏 vs 困倦

Both start with '困'.

困倦 focuses almost only on the urge to sleep; 困乏 includes physical tiredness.

上课时他感到很困倦。

困乏 vs 疲惫

Both mean very tired.

疲惫 is more extreme, like 'burned out.' 困乏 is more about the immediate need for sleep.

他已经疲惫到了极点。

困乏 vs 乏味

Both contain '乏'.

乏味 means 'boring' or 'tasteless.'

那场演讲非常乏味。

困乏 vs 疲乏

Very similar meaning.

疲乏 is more often used in medical or technical contexts; 困乏 is more literary.

病人感到全身疲乏。

Sentence Patterns

S + 很 + 困乏。

我很困乏。

S + 感到 + 困乏。

他感到困乏。

由于 + Cause, S + 感到困乏。

由于加班，他感到困乏。

S + 显得 + 十分 + 困乏。

她显得十分困乏。

困乏的 + Noun

困乏的身体。

消除/缓解 + 困乏

休息可以消除困乏。

精神/身体 + 上的 + 困乏

精神上的困乏。

难掩其...之困乏

难掩其内容之困乏。

Word Family

Nouns

困倦 (kùnjuàn - sleepiness)

疲乏 (pífá - fatigue)

Verbs

困 (kùn - to be sleepy/trapped)

乏 (fá - to lack/be tired)

Adjectives

困乏的 (kùnfá de - fatigued)

贫乏的 (pínfá de - lacking/poor)

疲劳 (píláo)

累 (lèi)

精神 (jīngshén)

体力 (tǐlì)

休息 (xiūxi)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in written Chinese, medium-low in casual spoken Chinese.

Common Mistakes

Using 困乏 for 'boring'. → 乏味 (fáwèi)
困乏 is a state of a person; 乏味 describes a thing that is boring.
Saying '我困乏了' after a short walk. → 我有点累。
困乏 is for deep exhaustion, not minor tiredness.
Confusing 困乏 with 贫乏. → 资源贫乏 (limited resources).
贫乏 is about quantity/scarcity; 困乏 is about energy.
Writing '困发' instead of '困乏'. → 困乏
The characters '乏' and '发' sound different and have different meanings.
Using 困乏 as a verb: '这工作困乏我'。 → 这工作让我感到困乏。
困乏 is an adjective, not a transitive verb.

Tips

Use in Essays

When writing about the pressure of modern life, use '精神困乏' to describe the mental state of workers.

Pair with Adverbs

Always use adverbs like '很' or '十分' with 困乏 when it's the main predicate.

Expand Synonyms

Learn '疲惫' alongside '困乏' to have a full set of words for exhaustion.

Tone Mastery

Practice the 4-2 tone transition (kùn-fá) to sound more natural.

Notice the Context

Look for '困乏' in novels to see how authors use it to build atmosphere.

Medical Commercials

Listen for '困乏' in ads for health supplements on Chinese TV.

Character Practice

Practice writing '困' (tree in a box) to remember its meaning of being trapped/tired.

Formal Situations

Use '感到困乏' in a doctor's appointment to sound precise about your symptoms.

Spring Context

Mention '困乏' when talking about the weather changes in spring with Chinese friends.

Mnemonic

Remember: The tree in the box is 'KUN-fined' and 'FA-iling' (困乏).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'KUN' as a tree in a box (困) that is 'KUN-fined' and 'FA-iling' to grow because it's so tired.

Visual Association

Imagine a tree (木) trapped inside a square fence (囗). It's stuck and exhausted. Next to it is the character 乏, which looks like a person leaning over in exhaustion.

Word Web

累 (lèi) 困 (kùn) 睡 (shuì) 乏 (fá) 疲 (pí) 倦 (juàn) 精神 (jīngshén) 力 (lì)

Challenge

Try to use '困乏' in a sentence describing how you feel after a 12-hour flight. Don't use the word '累'!

Word Origin

The word is a compound of two ancient characters found in early Chinese scripts.

Original meaning: 困 (kùn) originally meant a tree inside an enclosure, symbolizing restriction or distress. 乏 (fá) originally meant to turn over or to lack.

Sino-Tibetan / Sinitic

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities; it's a standard medical and literary term.

English speakers might just say 'I'm beat' or 'I'm exhausted.' '困乏' is more formal, similar to 'I am experiencing lethargy.'

Used in Lu Xun's literature to describe the weary state of the Chinese people. Common in medical advertisements for 'Shenqi' (kidney energy) supplements. Found in classical poems describing the weariness of long-distance soldiers.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Travel

长途旅行后的困乏 (Fatigue after long travel)
时差导致的困乏 (Fatigue caused by jet lag)
消除旅途困乏 (Eliminate travel fatigue)
感到困乏无力 (Feel fatigued and weak)

Work/Study

连续加班后的困乏 (Fatigue after working overtime)
学习过度引起的困乏 (Fatigue from over-studying)
缓解精神困乏 (Relieve mental fatigue)
处于困乏状态 (In a state of fatigue)

Health/Medicine

经常感到困乏 (Often feeling fatigued)
药物引起的困乏 (Fatigue caused by medication)
慢性困乏综合征 (Chronic fatigue syndrome)
由于贫血感到困乏 (Feeling fatigued due to anemia)

Nature/Weather

春季的困乏 (Spring fatigue)
午后的困乏 (Afternoon drowsiness)
闷热天气让人困乏 (Stuffy weather makes people fatigued)
阵阵困乏袭来 (Waves of fatigue striking)

Literature

困乏的双眼 (Fatigued eyes)
满脸困乏 (Face full of fatigue)
掩饰不住的困乏 (Unconcealable fatigue)
透着困乏的语气 (Tone revealing fatigue)

Conversation Starters

"你最近是不是因为加班感到很困乏？ (Have you been feeling very fatigued lately because of overtime?)"

"长途飞行后，你通常怎么消除困乏？ (How do you usually eliminate fatigue after a long flight?)"

"你觉得精神困乏和身体困乏哪个更难受？ (Do you think mental fatigue or physical fatigue is more uncomfortable?)"

"春天到了，你有没有感到阵阵困乏？ (Now that spring is here, have you been feeling waves of fatigue?)"

"喝咖啡真的能帮你缓解困乏吗？ (Does drinking coffee really help you relieve fatigue?)"

Journal Prompts

描述一次你感到极度困乏的经历，你是如何应对的？ (Describe an experience when you felt extremely fatigued; how did you handle it?)

写一段关于现代社会中人们精神困乏的原因。 (Write a paragraph about the reasons for mental fatigue in modern society.)

如果你感到困乏，什么样的休息方式对你最有效？ (If you feel fatigued, what kind of rest is most effective for you?)

想象一个非常困乏的旅行者，描写他的神态和动作。 (Imagine a very fatigued traveler; describe his expression and actions.)

讨论一下充足的睡眠对缓解困乏的重要性。 (Discuss the importance of sufficient sleep in relieving fatigue.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, but it's better to use '困' in casual speech. '困乏' implies you are also physically tired.

No, it only describes a person's physical or mental state.

You say '精神困乏' (jīngshén kùnfá).

It sounds a bit like a book. '我很困乏' or '我感到困乏' is more natural.

Yes, it describes an uncomfortable state of exhaustion.

累 is generic 'tired.' 困乏 is specific 'sleepy + exhausted' and more formal.

Yes, if you are explaining why you need a break or discussing health issues, but it's quite formal.

No, it is an adjective. You can use '感到' (feel) before it.

It's called '春困' (chūn kùn), and '困乏' is often used to describe the feeling of it.

No, that's '贫乏' (pínfá), though they share the character '乏'.