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
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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.
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.
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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1The giveawayA person in a robe 衣 with an injury 一 to his head 口
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 衰? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 衰?
Decomposition of 衰
IDS Structure⿻衣⿻口一
衰Full Character
=
衣yi1
outer
口kou3
outer
一yi1
inner
Exercise 1 of 3
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 衰?
How to say mourning garments in Chinese
“mourning garments” in Chinese is衰cuī
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.
When to use 衰
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).
衰 or something close to it
衰 (cuī) vs 退 (tuì) — use 衰 for decline in strength or vitality, while 退 emphasizes withdrawal or retreat.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 衰
衰
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Practice writing 衰 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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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)
Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
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.
