Meanings of 頹
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About 頹
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Podcast: 頹
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AI Study Notes for 頹
衰 (shuāi) — use 頹 (tuí) when describing a more general or gradual decline, while 衰 (shuāi) specifically emphasizes a weakening or diminishing state.
This character is often used in both formal and informal contexts. Be cautious of using it in overly optimistic situations, as it carries a negative connotation. Common collocations include 頹廢 (tuíhuì) meaning 'decadent' and 頹喪 (tuísàng) meaning 'depressed'.
Although 頹 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it connects with other HSK words that express feelings or conditions, such as 悲傷 (bēishāng, 'sorrowful'). Focus on recognizing this word's emotional context in literature and conversation.
Learners often confuse 頹 with 醉 (zuì, 'drunk') due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 頹 relates to decay and depression, while 醉 refers to intoxication.
Pronunciation of 頹
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Etymology of 頹
A bald 禿 head 頁; 禿 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 頹
- 1The giveawayA bald 禿 head 頁; 禿 also provides the pronunciation
- 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 頹? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 頹
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How to say ruined, decayed; depressed; decadent in Chinese
“ruined, decayed; depressed; decadent” in Chinese is頹
The character 頹 (tuí) conveys a sense of decay or ruin, often used to describe something that has deteriorated, such as physical objects or one's mental state. It can also imply a feeling of depression or decadence, reflecting a decline from a previous state of vitality or success.
When to use 頹
This character is often used in both formal and informal contexts. Be cautious of using it in overly optimistic situations, as it carries a negative connotation. Common collocations include 頹廢 (tuíhuì) meaning 'decadent' and 頹喪 (tuísàng) meaning 'depressed'.
頹 or something close to it
衰 (shuāi) — use 頹 (tuí) when describing a more general or gradual decline, while 衰 (shuāi) specifically emphasizes a weakening or diminishing state.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 頹 with 醉 (zuì, 'drunk') due to similar pronunciation. Remember that 頹 relates to decay and depression, while 醉 refers to intoxication.
Write 頹
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Practice writing 頹 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Word Family of 頹
Compound Meaning
What does 颓废 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 頹
You can say '他感到頹喪' (Tā gǎndào tuísàng), which means 'He feels depressed.'
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