unknown, 11 strokes, radical 忄, rank #98590, Very Hard
悴
cuì
downcast
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 忄, rank #98590, Very Hard
悴
cuì
distressed
unknown, 11 strokes, radical 忄, rank #98590, Very Hard
cuì(cui4) T4
1to suffer; haggard, emaciated
2sad
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March 24, 2026
悴cuì(cui4)
The character 悴 (cuì) primarily means to appear haggard or emaciated, often due to distress or suffering. It can describe someone's physical appearance when they are unwell or emotionally troubled, conveying a sense of sadness or being downcast. This term is commonly used in contexts relating to mental or physical health.
Strokes11Radical忄Frequency#98590DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, looking haggard can be associated with emotional distress and social stigma, reflecting the importance placed on mental well-being and social appearances. The phrase '看起来很悴' (kàn qǐlái hěn cuì) can often be used to express concern for someone's health.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'sad' face that looks 'haggard.' The character 悴 has a heart (心) at its core, indicating emotional distress, while the outer part resembles someone who has lost weight, making you think of an emaciated figure. Remember 'cuì' sounds like 'suit,' and a person who is distressed might not care about their appearance or 'suit' anymore.
Meanings of 悴
cuì(cui4)
1to suffer; haggard, emaciated
2sad
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 悴
悴Simplified
11Strokes
忄Radical
状态词stative word (stat.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 悴
Podcast: 悴
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AI Study Notes for 悴
Quick Contrast
憔悴 (qiáocuì) — use 悴 (cuì) for a more general sense of haggardness, while 憔悴 (qiáocuì) often emphasizes emotional distress.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sad' face that looks 'haggard.' The character 悴 has a heart (心) at its core, indicating emotional distress, while the outer part resembles someone who has lost weight, making you think of an emaciated figure. Remember 'cuì' sounds like 'suit,' and a person who is distressed might not care about their appearance or 'suit' anymore.
Usage Notes
Learners often confuse 悴 (cuì) with similar-sounding words like 瘦 (shòu), which means 'thin' but without the emotional context. It is generally used in informal contexts when discussing someone's health or emotional state. Be cautious with the tone; 悴 is pronounced with a falling tone, which can change its meaning if mixed with other tones.
HSK Study Tips
Though 悴 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it is beneficial for learners to understand words related to health and emotional states at this level. Focus on distinguishing it from similar terms and incorporate it when discussing feelings or physical appearance.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, looking haggard can be associated with emotional distress and social stigma, reflecting the importance placed on mental well-being and social appearances. The phrase '看起来很悴' (kàn qǐlái hěn cuì) can often be used to express concern for someone's health.
Common Mistakes
Learners often misuse 悴 by applying it to describe someone simply being thin without emotional implications. For example, saying '他很悴因为他瘦' (Tā hěn cuì yīnwèi tā shòu) is incorrect; instead, it should be '他看起来很悴因为他不快乐' (Tā kàn qǐlái hěn cuì yīnwèi tā bù kuàilè), meaning 'He looks haggard because he is unhappy.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 悴
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Grammar Patterns of 悴
悴 carries 4 distinct meanings. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
尼克环视着盯着自己的那一张张憔____的面孔。
Nick glanced around at the haggard faces watching him.
Example Sentences for 悴 (6)
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1
尼克环视着盯着自己的那一张张憔悴的面孔。
ní kè huán shì zháo dīng zháo zì jǐ de nà yī zhāng zhāng qiáo cuì de miàn kǒng。
Nick glanced around at the haggard faces watching him.
2
她一脸苍白憔悴。
tā yī liǎn cāng bái qiáo cuì。
Her face was pinched and drawn.
3
那些动物体重明显下降, 瘦多了, 简直是憔悴不堪.
nà xiē dòng wù tǐ zhòng míng xiǎn xià jiàng, , shòu duō, le , jiǎn zhí shì qiáo cuì.
The animals had lost weight noticeably, becoming lean, almost emaciated.
'she looks a little haggard, but not too thin. Maybe a little thinner than before.
6
辛德雷已经出来了, 站在厨房炉边, 憔悴而懒塌塌的.
xīn dé léi yǐ jīng chū lái le, , zhàn zài chú fáng lú, biān , qiáo cuì ér lǎn tā.
Hindley had come out, and stood on the Kitchen hearth, haggard and drowsy.
Cultural Notes for 悴
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, looking haggard can be associated with emotional distress and social stigma, reflecting the importance placed on mental well-being and social appearances. The phrase '看起来很悴' (kàn qǐlái hěn cuì) can often be used to express concern for someone's health.
Word Family of 悴
Words Containing This Character2
憔悴wan and sallow
悴cuìsad
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 憔悴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 悴
It means to look haggard or emaciated, often due to distress or suffering.
You can use it to describe someone who looks unwell, like '他看起来很悴' (Tā kàn qǐlái hěn cuì) meaning 'He looks haggard.'
It is generally used in informal contexts, especially when discussing someone's health or emotional state.
