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March 24, 2026
憔qiáo(qiao2)
The character 憔 (qiáo) describes a state of being worn-out or haggard, often due to stress, illness, or lack of sleep. It conveys a sense of emaciation or fatigue that affects one's appearance and vitality, commonly used in literary contexts to describe characters or emotions.
Strokes15Radical忄Frequency#—DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural Note
The concept of being haggard or worn-out is often tied to traditional Chinese views on health, where balance and harmony are emphasized. In literature, characters described as 憔 often embody the struggle against life’s adversities, resonating with themes of perseverance in Chinese storytelling.
Memory Tip
Imagine a tired traveler who has been on a long journey, their face becoming haggard and worn. The character 憔 has a component '忄' (heart) suggesting emotional or mental strain, while '喬' can remind you of 'tall' or 'high', symbolizing how their burdens weigh heavily on them, making them appear thin and worn-out.
Meanings of 憔
qiáo(qiao2)
1worn-out, haggard, emaciated
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 憔
憔Simplified
15Strokes
忄Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#—Frequency Rank
Podcast: 憔
Podcast: 憔
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AI Study Notes for 憔
Quick Contrast
憔 (haggard) vs 憔悴 (wan and haggard) — use 憔 for a more general description of being worn-out, while 憔悴 emphasizes a more extreme state of fatigue.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a tired traveler who has been on a long journey, their face becoming haggard and worn. The character 憔 has a component '忄' (heart) suggesting emotional or mental strain, while '喬' can remind you of 'tall' or 'high', symbolizing how their burdens weigh heavily on them, making them appear thin and worn-out.
Usage Notes
This character is often used in a literary or poetic context rather than in everyday conversation. Learners should avoid confusing it with similar-sounding characters that have different meanings. It’s often paired with words related to emotions or physical states, such as '疲惫' (tired) or '消瘦' (thin).
HSK Study Tips
Although 憔 is not part of the HSK vocabulary list, it can be beneficial for learners at HSK 4 or higher who are exploring literary texts. Students should focus on recognizing its usage in context and distinguishing it from other characters that describe physical or emotional states.
Cultural Note
The concept of being haggard or worn-out is often tied to traditional Chinese views on health, where balance and harmony are emphasized. In literature, characters described as 憔 often embody the struggle against life’s adversities, resonating with themes of perseverance in Chinese storytelling.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 憔 with other characters like 焦 (jiāo), which means scorched or burnt, leading to incorrect interpretations. Remember that 憔 specifically relates to a worn-out appearance due to emotional or physical tolls.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 憔
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Grammar Patterns of 憔
憔 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
尼克环视着盯着自己的那一张张____悴的面孔。
Nick glanced around at the haggard faces watching him.
Example Sentences for 憔 (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 憔
🏮Cultural insight
The concept of being haggard or worn-out is often tied to traditional Chinese views on health, where balance and harmony are emphasized. In literature, characters described as 憔 often embody the struggle against life’s adversities, resonating with themes of perseverance in Chinese storytelling.
Word Family of 憔
Words Containing This Character2
憔悴wan and sallow
憔qiáohaggard
Exercise 1 of 2
Compound Meaning
What does 憔悴 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 憔
It can describe someone looking haggard, such as '她最近工作很忙，显得有些憔悴' (She has been very busy at work and looks a bit haggard).
No, it is more frequently found in literary or formal contexts rather than in casual conversation.
It is pronounced as 'qiáo', with the tone rising slightly.
