HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
cuī
to decline
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
cuī
to wane
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
cuī
to become weak or feeble
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
cuī
weak, feeble; to decline, to falter
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
shuāi
mourning garments
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
shuāi
to decline
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
shuāi
to wane
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
shuāi
to become weak or feeble
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
衰
shuāi
weak, feeble; to decline, to falter
HSK 6, ag, 10 strokes, radical 衣, rank #6091, Hard
cuī(cui1)
primary
T1
1mourning garments
2to decline
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026
衰cuī(cui1)
The character 衰 (cuī) primarily means 'to decline' or 'to weaken.' It is often used in contexts describing a decrease in strength, vitality, or fortune. Additionally, it can refer to mourning garments, reflecting its connections to sadness and loss.
Strokes10Radical衣Frequency#6091DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of decline is often associated with traditional beliefs about the cyclical nature of life, where fortunes can rise and fall. The mourning garments referenced by 衰 highlight the cultural significance of mourning practices during times of loss.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'crying' person wearing a 'shroud' (the sound 'cuī' resembles 'cry') as they experience a decline in happiness. The character 衰 has a radical that suggests weakness, like a wilting flower, which helps you remember that it represents a downturn or feebleness.
Meanings of 衰
cuī(cui1)
primary
1mourning garments
2to decline
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 衰
衰Simplified
10Strokes
衣Radical
形容词性语素xíngróngcíadjective root (adj.root)Part of Speech
#6091Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L6
Podcast: 衰
Podcast: 衰
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
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AI Study Notes for 衰
Quick Contrast
衰 (cuī) vs 退 (tuì) — use 衰 for decline in strength or vitality, while 退 emphasizes withdrawal or retreat.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'crying' person wearing a 'shroud' (the sound 'cuī' resembles 'cry') as they experience a decline in happiness. The character 衰 has a radical that suggests weakness, like a wilting flower, which helps you remember that it represents a downturn or feebleness.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 衰 with similar-sounding words that have different meanings. It is primarily used in formal contexts, especially when discussing health or fortune. Common collocations include 衰退 (decline) and 衰老 (aging).
HSK Study Tips
While 衰 is not currently in the HSK vocabulary lists, it is useful for learners at advanced levels. Focus on how this character connects with other words related to decline or deterioration, enhancing your vocabulary around health and emotions.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the concept of decline is often associated with traditional beliefs about the cyclical nature of life, where fortunes can rise and fall. The mourning garments referenced by 衰 highlight the cultural significance of mourning practices during times of loss.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 衰 with the character 衰退 (shuāi tuì), using them interchangeably inappropriately. Remember, 衰 emphasizes the state of weakness, while 衰退 specifically refers to a decline process.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 衰
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Grammar Patterns of 衰
衰 carries 5 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
通货膨胀的下降是长期经济____退中的一线转机。
The fall in inflation is the silver lining of the prolonged recession.
Example Sentences for 衰 (10)
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1
通货膨胀的下降是长期经济衰退中的一线转机。
tōng huò péng zhàng de xià jiàng shì cháng qī jīng jì shuāi tuì zhōng de yī xiàn zhuǎn jī。
The fall in inflation is the silver lining of the prolonged recession.
2
企业感受到了别处经济衰退带来的间接影响。
qǐ yè gǎn shòu dào le bié chǔ jīng jì shuāi tuì dài lái de jiān jiē yǐng xiǎng。
Businesses are feeling the indirect effects from the recession that'sgoing on elsewhere.
Investment could dry up and that could cause the economy to falter.
8
饮食中摄入过量蛋白质可能会加速衰老。
yǐn shí zhōng shè rù guò liáng dàn bái zhì kě néng huì jiā sù shuāi lǎo。
Too much protein in the diet may advance the ageing process.
9
他不得不收回他说过的公司能免受经济衰退影响的话。
tā bù dé bù shōu huí tā shuō guò de gōng sī néng miǎn shòu jīng jì shuāi tuì yǐng xiǎng de huà。
He has had to eat his words about the company being recession-proof.
10
她一直关注着里夫斯家族的兴衰。
tā yī zhí guān zhù zháo lǐ fū sī jiā zú de xīng shuāi。
She kept up with the fortunes of the Reeves family.
Cultural Notes for 衰
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the concept of decline is often associated with traditional beliefs about the cyclical nature of life, where fortunes can rise and fall. The mourning garments referenced by 衰 highlight the cultural significance of mourning practices during times of loss.
Word Family of 衰
Compounds7
蓑suo1straw raincoat
榱cui1rafter
缞
滖
簑
簔
縗
Words Containing This Character20
衰cuīto wane
衰老shuāilǎoto age
衰竭shuāijiéorgan failure
衰退shuāituìto decline
衰落to fall
衰弱shuāiruòweak
心力衰竭heart failure
衰减shuāijiǎnto weaken衰減
衰败to decline衰敗
兴衰rise and fall興衰
神经衰弱psychasthenia神經衰弱
早衰to age prematurely
衰亡to decline
半衰期half-life
衰变radioactive decay衰變
经久不衰unfailing經久不衰
盛衰rise and fall
衰微to decline
不衰unfailing
衰退期recession (in economics)
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 蓑 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 衰
Synonyms include 减少 (jiǎn shǎo - to decrease) and 衰退 (shuāi tuì - to decline).
You can say '他的健康在衰退' (tā de jiàn kāng zài shuāi tuì - His health is declining).
It's more common in formal contexts and written language than in casual conversation.
