Meanings of 可怜
By ear
Play it, then pick what 可怜 means.
About 可怜
Podcast: 可怜
Podcast: 可怜
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 可怜
可怜 (kělián) vs 可悲 (kěbēi) — use 可怜 for evoking sympathy, while 可悲 implies a sense of sorrow without the same focus on vulnerability.
Be careful not to use '可怜' in overly formal contexts, as it can sound condescending. Common collocations include '可怜的孩子' (the pitiful child) or '我很可怜' (I am very pitiful). A common mistake is to confuse it with '可爱' (kě ài), which means cute, leading to unintended meanings.
'可怜' is a Level 4 HSK vocabulary word that connects well with other words expressing emotions or descriptions of people and situations. Focus on using it in sentences to describe feelings of sympathy, as this will enhance your emotional vocabulary.
Learners often mistakenly use '可怜' to describe something that is merely sad or disappointing without a sense of sympathy, such as saying '这部电影很可怜' (This movie is very pitiful) when they mean it is bad. The correct context should involve evoking pity for someone or something truly deserving of compassion.
Pronunciation of 可怜
Drill the tone of 可怜 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason Explains 可怜 to You
Let me explain 可怜 for you
Make it yours
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 可怜 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 可怜?
Learning Lab
Knowing 可怜 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
- MeaningFree
- CharacterFree
- PinyinFree
- TonePro
- ListeningPro
- SpeakingPro
- WritingPro
Component Characters
How to say pitiful in Chinese
“pitiful” in Chinese is可怜
The term '可怜' (kě lián) describes something or someone that evokes feelings of pity or sympathy. It can be used in various contexts, such as referring to a person in unfortunate circumstances or a sad situation that stirs compassion. The nuance often implies a sense of vulnerability or helplessness.
When to use 可怜
Be careful not to use '可怜' in overly formal contexts, as it can sound condescending. Common collocations include '可怜的孩子' (the pitiful child) or '我很可怜' (I am very pitiful). A common mistake is to confuse it with '可爱' (kě ài), which means cute, leading to unintended meanings.
可怜 or something close to it
可怜 (kělián) vs 可悲 (kěbēi) — use 可怜 for evoking sympathy, while 可悲 implies a sense of sorrow without the same focus on vulnerability.
What learners get wrong
Learners often mistakenly use '可怜' to describe something that is merely sad or disappointing without a sense of sympathy, such as saying '这部电影很可怜' (This movie is very pitiful) when they mean it is bad. The correct context should involve evoking pity for someone or something truly deserving of compassion.
Write 可怜
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 可怜 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 可怜
可怜 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 3 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
迄今为止，我们掌握的能够指证两个嫌疑犯的证据少得____。
So far, what scanty evidence we have points to two suspects.
Example Sentences for 可怜 (10)
Ask Jason
Have a question about 可怜?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
Frequently Asked Questions about 可怜
'可怜' generally carries a negative connotation, implying sympathy for unfortunate situations, so it is not used positively.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 可怜?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.