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March 24, 2026
丧失(喪失)sàngshī(sang4shi1)
The verb '丧失' (sàngshī) means to lose something valuable or to forfeit an opportunity. It is often used in contexts related to losing rights, possessions, or emotional states, emphasizing the severity of the loss.
Frequency#4963DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
'丧失' often appears in discussions about mental health in Chinese culture, where losing one's mental well-being is a serious concern. It also relates to the cultural emphasis on familial and social connections, where loss can have profound implications.
Memory Tip
Imagine a 'sang' (sorrowful) person who has lost something precious, represented by the character '失' (to lose). Visualize them mourning their 'shi' (失) as they stand in a field of lost opportunities.
Meanings of 丧失
sàngshī(sang4shi1)
1to lose
2to forfeit
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 丧失
丧失Simplified
喪失Traditional
—Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#4963Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L6HSK 3.0L6IntermediateHSKKL3CEFRC1
Podcast: 丧失
Podcast: 丧失
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AI Study Notes for 丧失
Quick Contrast
失去 (shīqù) vs 丧失 (sàngshī): Use 失去 for a more general sense of losing something, while 丧失 emphasizes the severity of the loss.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sang' (sorrowful) person who has lost something precious, represented by the character '失' (to lose). Visualize them mourning their 'shi' (失) as they stand in a field of lost opportunities.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include confusing '丧失' with less severe terms like '失去' (shīqù), which can convey a lighter sense of loss. '丧失' is typically used in formal contexts, especially in legal or emotional discussions. Pay attention to tone when pronouncing it, as the wrong tone can change the meaning.
HSK Study Tips
As HSK Level 6, '丧失' connects well with other abstract concepts of loss and gain. Students should focus on differentiating it from synonyms and practice using it in various contexts, like emotional or legal discussions.
Cultural Note
'丧失' often appears in discussions about mental health in Chinese culture, where losing one's mental well-being is a serious concern. It also relates to the cultural emphasis on familial and social connections, where loss can have profound implications.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse '丧失' with '失去', leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts. For example, saying '我失去了我的工作' (I lost my job) is fine, but saying '我丧失了我的工作' can sound overly dramatic unless contextually appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 丧失
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Grammar Patterns of 丧失
丧失 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 2 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.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
他呼吁自己的同胞不要____信心。
He appealed to his countrymen not to lose heart.
Example Sentences for 丧失 (10)
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1
他呼吁自己的同胞不要丧失信心。
tā hū xū zì jǐ de tóng bāo bù yào sāng shī xìn xīn。
He appealed to his countrymen not to lose heart.
2
那个管弦乐团现在更有纪律性了，却丧失了灵魂。
nà gè guǎn xián lè tuán xiàn zài gēng yǒu jì lǜ xìng le， ， què sāng shī le líng。
The orchestra has more discipline now, but at the expense of spirit.
3
每个人都有沮丧失意或情绪低落的时候。
měi gè rén dū yǒu jǔ sāng shī yì huò qíng xù dī luò de shí hòu。
Everyone has days when they feel dejected or down.
4
那是个集体丧失理智、谋杀与暴力合法化的时期。
nà shì gè jí tǐ sāng shī lǐ zhì、 、 móu shā yǔ bào lì hé fǎ huà de shí。
It was a period of collective insanity, of legalized murder and mayhem.
Torn muscles retract, and lose strength, structure, and tightness.
Cultural Notes for 丧失
🏮Cultural insight
'丧失' often appears in discussions about mental health in Chinese culture, where losing one's mental well-being is a serious concern. It also relates to the cultural emphasis on familial and social connections, where loss can have profound implications.
🌏Cross-cultural Insight
In Western cultures, losing something is often seen as a personal setback, whereas in Chinese culture, '丧失' can carry a communal aspect, affecting family or social status.
Frequently Asked Questions about 丧失
'丧失' can refer to both tangible and intangible losses, such as losing trust or emotional stability.
'丧失' is usually more formal; in casual conversation, you might use '失去' instead.
'失去' (shīqù) is a common synonym, but it lacks the same weight as '丧失'.
