垂头丧气
垂头丧气 (chuí tóu sàng qì) literally means “drooping head and dejected spirit” and expresses “dejected; dispirited”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: chui tou sang qi, chui tou sang qi,垂头丧气 meaning, 垂头丧气 in english
Dejected; dispirited
Pronunciation: chuí tóu sàng qì Literal meaning: Drooping head and dejected spirit
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes the physical posture of dejection - head (头) drooping (垂) and spirit (气) lost (丧). The phrase captures how emotional states manifest in body language, reflecting the traditional Chinese understanding of mind-body unity. It appears in Tang Dynasty literature describing defeated warriors and disappointed scholars. The vivid physical imagery makes the emotional state instantly recognizable. Modern usage describes anyone in a state of discouragement, disappointment, or demoralization after failure or bad news.
Examples
English: "After losing the championship, the team left the field dejected."
Chinese: 输掉冠军赛后，队员们垂头丧气地离开了球场。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
Frequently Asked Questions
What does 垂头丧气 mean in English?
垂头丧气 (chuí tóu sàng qì) literally translates to “Drooping head and dejected spirit” and is used to express “Dejected; dispirited”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 垂头丧气 used?
Situation: After losing the championship, the team left the field dejected.
What is the pinyin for 垂头丧气?
The pinyin pronunciation for 垂头丧气 is “chuí tóu sàng qì”.