骨瘦如柴
骨瘦如柴 (gǔ shòu rú chái) literally means “bones thin as sticks” and expresses “extremely thin”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving life philosophy.
Also searched as: gu shou ru chai, gu shou ru chai,骨瘦如柴 meaning, 骨瘦如柴 in english
Extremely thin
Pronunciation: gǔ shòu rú chái Literal meaning: Bones thin as sticks
Origin & Usage
Bones (骨) thin (瘦) as (如) kindling (柴). 柴 is firewood, specifically the dry brushwood gathered for burning, so the comparison carries dryness and brittleness as well as thinness. The phrase is not a comment on physique but a description of a body that has been depleted, and Chinese uses it about illness, famine and grief. It is blunt and rather pitying, and it would not be used about someone who was merely slim.
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。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
瘦羊博士
shòu yáng bó shì
A modest person who yields to others
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刻骨铭心
kè gǔ míng xīn
Deeply and permanently affected
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刮骨疗毒
guā gǔ liáo dú
Radical problem-solving
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骨肉相连
gǔ ròu xiāng lián
Inseparable family bond
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吉祥如意
jí xiáng rú yì
Good fortune and fulfilment
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万事如意
wàn shì rú yì
May everything go the way you want
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福如东海
fú rú dōng hǎi
May your good fortune be boundless
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如醉如梦
rú zuì rú mèng
Entranced in dreamlike state
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 骨瘦如柴 mean in English?
骨瘦如柴 (gǔ shòu rú chái) literally translates to “Bones thin as sticks” and is used to express “Extremely thin”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Life Philosophy category.
When is 骨瘦如柴 used?
Situation: After months of illness, he looked so frail, with bones thin as firewood.
What is the pinyin for 骨瘦如柴?
The pinyin pronunciation for 骨瘦如柴 is “gǔ shòu rú chái”.