Meanings of 瘁
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About 瘁
Podcast: 瘁
Podcast: 瘁
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AI Study Notes for 瘁
Learners often confuse 瘁 (cuì) with similar-sounding words that denote tiredness or illness, such as 疲 (pí) for fatigue. It is best used in informal contexts, and it can be paired with adjectives like '非常' (very) for emphasis, e.g., '我很瘁' (I am very tired).
While 瘁 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it relates to other HSK words describing states of being, such as 疲惫 (píbèi) for exhausted. Students should focus on the emotional and physical connotations of weariness in relation to HSK vocabulary.
Learners might incorrectly use 瘁 in a formal context where a more neutral term like 疲惫 (píbèi) would be appropriate. For example, saying '我在工作中感到瘁' (I feel tired at work) is acceptable, but might sound overly dramatic in a formal setting.
Pronunciation of 瘁
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Etymology of 瘁
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 卒 represents the sound.
sickness
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 瘁
Phonosemantic compound. 疒 represents the meaning and 卒 represents the sound.
- 1The meaning half疒 carries the sense.
- 2The sound half卒 is there for the reading, not the meaning.
- 3The giveawaysickness
- 4On the record aspictophonetic.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 瘁? 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 瘁
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How to say tired, worn-out; sick; overworked in Chinese
“tired, worn-out; sick; overworked” in Chinese is瘁
The character 瘁 (cuì) conveys a sense of being tired or worn-out, often due to illness or overwork. It is commonly used in contexts where someone feels distressed or fatigued, reflecting both physical and emotional states of weariness.
When to use 瘁
Learners often confuse 瘁 (cuì) with similar-sounding words that denote tiredness or illness, such as 疲 (pí) for fatigue. It is best used in informal contexts, and it can be paired with adjectives like '非常' (very) for emphasis, e.g., '我很瘁' (I am very tired).
What learners get wrong
Learners might incorrectly use 瘁 in a formal context where a more neutral term like 疲惫 (píbèi) would be appropriate. For example, saying '我在工作中感到瘁' (I feel tired at work) is acceptable, but might sound overly dramatic in a formal setting.
Write 瘁
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Practice writing 瘁 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 瘁
瘁 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 4 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.
Complete the Sentence
养一大堆孩子让人心力交____。
Having loads of children takes it out of you.
Example Sentences for 瘁 (1)
Word Family of 瘁
Compound Meaning
What does 鞠躬尽瘁 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瘁
It is pronounced as 'cuì'.
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