垂头丧气(垂頭喪氣)

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.

When to Use

Situation: After losing the championship, the team left the field dejected.

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