骨瘦如柴

Pronunciation: gǔ shòu rú chái Literal meaning: Bones thin as sticks

Origin & Usage

The idiom 骨瘦如柴 (gǔ shòu rú chái) is commonly used in classical Chinese to describe someone who is extremely thin, akin to being as skinny as a stick (柴, chái). While there is no specific historical story tied to its origin, the vivid imagery of bones (骨, gǔ) being as thin as firewood (柴, chái) effectively conveys the frailty and emaciation of a person. In modern usage, this idiom is often employed to describe individuals who are severely underweight, whether due to illness, malnutrition, or other circumstances. It serves as a cautionary reminder of the importance of health and balance in life, encouraging people to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Examples

English: "After months of illness, he looked so frail, with bones thin as firewood."

Chinese: 经过几个月的疾病，他看起来非常虚弱，骨瘦如柴。