无精打采

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: wú jīng dǎ cǎi
• English Translation: Listless (to be in low spirits)
• Idiom Composition: 「无」（Without or lacking）＋「精」（Spirit, energy, or vitality）＋「打」（To lift or rouse (short for 打起精神 (dǎ qǐ jīng shén))）＋「采」（Radiance or mental spirit (from 神采 (shén cǎi))）
• Meaning: A state of lacking mental vitality, energy, or interest. It describes being dejected or spiritless due to physical exhaustion, psychological disappointment, or boredom.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「无精打采」 contains the following nuances:

• Lack of Vitality: The idiom describes a state where one's 精 (jīng) or 'inner energy' is missing, making it impossible to rouse one's 采 (cǎi) or 'outward radiance.' It implies a visible lack of enthusiasm, such as slumped shoulders or hollow eyes.
• Versatility of Cause: Unlike idioms that focus strictly on failure, 无精打采 (wú jīng dǎ cǎi) is versatile. It can describe a student bored in class, a worker exhausted from overtime, or a person saddened by a breakup.

3. Usage

「无精打采」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Fatigue or Illness: Used when physical energy is depleted due to long hours of work or recovering from being sick.
  • Example:「因为感冒发烧，他整天都无精打采的。」
    （Because he has a fever from a cold, he has been listless all day.）
• Disappointment or Dejection: Used when someone is mentally down after hearing bad news or experiencing a failure.
  • Example:「自从考试失利后，他这几天一直无精打采。」
    （Since failing the exam, he has been in low spirits for the past few days.）
• Boredom or Lack of Interest: Used when someone shows a lack of motivation or enthusiasm for a specific activity.
  • Example:「他对这个讲座不感兴趣，听得无精打采。」
    （He isn't interested in this lecture and is listening half-heartedly.）

Additional Examples:

1. 看你一副无精打采的样子，是不是昨晚没睡好？
   （You look so listless; did you not sleep well last night?）
2. 受到批评后，小王无精打采地回到了座位上。
   （After being criticized, Xiao Wang returned to his seat dejectedly.）
3. 炎热的午后，连路边的狗都热得无精打采。
   （On a hot afternoon, even the dogs by the road are limp from the heat.）
4. 别总是无精打采的，振作起来！
   （Don't be so spiritless all the time; pull yourself together!）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Variations: While 无精打采 (wú jīng dǎ cǎi) is the standard form, you will frequently hear 没精打采 (méi jīng dǎ cǎi) in daily conversation. Both are interchangeable.
• The character 采 (cǎi): In this context, it refers to 神采 (shén cǎi), meaning 'mental radiance' or 'glow.' Although sometimes mistakenly written with the character 彩 (cǎi) meaning 'color,' the version with 采 is considered the correct orthography.
• Frequency: This is one of the most high-frequency idioms in the Chinese language, used across all levels of formality from casual chats to literature.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 垂头丧气 (chuí tóu sàng qì): To hang one's head in dejection; specifically emphasizes the feeling of being crestfallen after a failure.link
  • 萎靡不振 (wěi mǐ bù zhèn): Languid and spiritless; a more formal term often used for long-term slumps or low morale in a group.
  • 灰心丧气 (huī xīn sàng qì): To be discouraged and lose heart.link
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 精神抖擞 (jīng shén dǒu sǒu): To be full of beans; brimming with energy and spirit.
  • 神采奕奕 (shén cǎi yì yì): Glowing with health and vigor; having a radiant and spirited appearance.
  • 兴高采烈 (xìng gāo cǎi liè): To be in high spirits and joyful.link
  • 容光焕发 (róng guāng huàn fā): To be radiant and glowing with health and happiness.link

6. Summary

无精打采 (wú jīng dǎ cǎi) is the most common idiom used to describe someone who is 'out of it' or 'lacking energy.' It applies to physical tiredness, illness, or emotional low points. A common variant is 没精打采 (méi jīng dǎ cǎi), which carries the exact same meaning.