Meanings of 瘪
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About 瘪
Podcast: 瘪
Podcast: 瘪
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AI Study Notes for 瘪
瘪 (biě) vs 干 (gān) — use 瘪 for something that is shriveled or sunken, while 干 refers to something that is dry but not necessarily sunken.
Imagine a deflated balloon that has lost its air and is all wrinkled; this visual helps connect the character 瘪 to its meaning of being shriveled or sunken. The left side of the character (病) suggests illness, which can relate to something 'sickly' like a wilted fruit.
Be cautious when using 瘪 to describe emotions, as it can sound informal or colloquial. It's commonly paired with words like 'fruit' or 'balloon' to describe their state. The tone is crucial; using the wrong tone may lead to misunderstandings.
While 瘪 is not part of the HSK vocabulary, it can be connected to other descriptive terms at similar levels, such as 干 (gān, dry) or 空 (kōng, empty). Focus on recognizing its usage in context, especially in colloquial speech.
In Chinese culture, the condition of fruits often symbolizes prosperity or lack thereof; thus, describing something as 瘪 can carry connotations of misfortune or disappointment. This is particularly relevant during festive seasons when food quality is highly valued.
Learners often confuse 瘪 with its variant 癟 (biě) due to their similar meanings. For example, saying '这颗苹果瘪了' (This apple is flat) is correct, while using it in a formal context can sound awkward.
Pronunciation of 瘪
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Etymology of 瘪
sickness
Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 瘪
Identify the Components
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Write 瘪
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Practice writing 瘪 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 瘪
瘪 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. 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.
Complete the Sentence
他的冰箱里除了3个非常干____的西红柿外已经空空如也。
His fridge was bare apart from three very withered tomatoes.
Example Sentences for 瘪 (4)
Cultural Notes for 瘪
In Chinese culture, the condition of fruits often symbolizes prosperity or lack thereof; thus, describing something as 瘪 can carry connotations of misfortune or disappointment. This is particularly relevant during festive seasons when food quality is highly valued.
Word Family of 瘪
Compound Meaning
What does 瘪 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 瘪
Yes, it can describe feelings of vexation or disappointment, but be aware that it's informal.