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垂头丧气 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
垂头丧气chuítóusàngqìhanging one's head dispiritedly (idiom); dejectedHSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, Very Hard
垂头丧气chuítóusàngqìcrestfallenHSK 7, unknown, 25 strokes, Very Hard
chuítóusàngqì(chui2tou2sang4qi4)chui tou sang qi T2
  1. 1hanging one's head dispiritedly (idiom); dejected
  2. 2crestfallen
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March 24, 2026

垂头丧气(垂頭喪氣)chuítóusàngqì(chui2tou2sang4qi4)

The idiom 垂头丧气 (chui2 tou2 sang4 qi4) describes a state of feeling dejected or crestfallen, often characterized by a lowered head and a lack of energy or enthusiasm. It is commonly used to express disappointment after a setback or failure, conveying a deep sense of discouragement.

Strokes25DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, expressing emotions such as disappointment is often done more subtly than in some Western cultures. 垂头丧气 reflects a cultural understanding that one’s demeanor can communicate feelings, aligning with the value placed on emotional restraint.

Memory tip

Imagine a sad dog with its head hanging low, looking defeated after losing a game. The 'hanging head' visualizes the first part, 垂头 (chui2 tou2), while 'losing spirit' relates to 丧气 (sang4 qi4). Together, they create a vivid mental image of dejection.

Meanings of 垂头丧气

chuítóusàngqì(chui2tou2sang4qi4)
1hanging one's head dispiritedly (idiom); dejected
2crestfallen
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About 垂头丧气

垂头丧气Simplified
垂頭喪氣Traditional
25Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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AI study notes for 垂头丧气

Quick Contrast

沮丧 (jǔsàng) - choose 垂头丧气 when emphasizing a physical manifestation of dejection, while 沮丧 focuses more on the emotional state.

Usage Notes

This expression is often used in informal contexts to describe feelings of disappointment. Be careful not to use it in overly formal situations, as it can sound too casual. A common mistake is to confuse it with other expressions of sadness, so ensure the context of dejection is clear.

HSK Study Tips

While this idiom is not explicitly listed in HSK levels, understanding it can enhance comprehension of more advanced texts. Students at HSK 4 and above should focus on idioms and phrases that convey emotions, as they are frequently encountered in conversations.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mix up 垂头丧气 with other idioms like 情绪低落 (qíng xù dī luò), which means 'low mood,' leading to confusion in usage. Ensure you use 垂头丧气 specifically for visualizing dejection.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 垂头丧气

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Component characters

垂chuíto hang (down)
HSK 78 strokes土
View full entry
头tóuhead
HSK 25 strokes大
View full entry
丧sāngto make funeral arrangements
8 strokes十
View full entry
气qìgas
HSK 44 strokes气
View full entry

How to say hanging one's head dispiritedly (idiom); dejected in Chinese

“hanging one's head dispiritedly (idiom); dejected” in Chinese is垂头丧气chuítóusàngqì

The idiom 垂头丧气 (chui2 tou2 sang4 qi4) describes a state of feeling dejected or crestfallen, often characterized by a lowered head and a lack of energy or enthusiasm. It is commonly used to express disappointment after a setback or failure, conveying a deep sense of discouragement.

When to use 垂头丧气

This expression is often used in informal contexts to describe feelings of disappointment. Be careful not to use it in overly formal situations, as it can sound too casual. A common mistake is to confuse it with other expressions of sadness, so ensure the context of dejection is clear.

垂头丧气 or something close to it

沮丧 (jǔsàng) - choose 垂头丧气 when emphasizing a physical manifestation of dejection, while 沮丧 focuses more on the emotional state.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mix up 垂头丧气 with other idioms like 情绪低落 (qíng xù dī luò), which means 'low mood,' leading to confusion in usage. Ensure you use 垂头丧气 specifically for visualizing dejection.

Write 垂头丧气

垂
头
丧
气

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Frequently asked questions about 垂头丧气

It's generally too informal for professional contexts; consider using more neutral phrases to express disappointment.

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