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
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。
Related Chinese Idioms
Similar idioms about life philosophy
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”.