垂头丧气

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: chuí tóu sàng qì
• English Translation: dejected, disheartened, crestfallen, downcast
• Idiom Composition: 「垂」（to hang down）＋「头」（head）＋「丧」（to lose）＋「气」（spirit, energy）
• Meaning: Describes someone with their head hanging down and spirits lost. It expresses a state of dejection and despondency caused by failure or misfortune.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「垂头丧气」 contains the following nuances:

• Disappointment: Expresses the feeling of disappointment when expectations are not met.
• Dejection: Indicates a state of losing spirit and feeling down due to failure or setbacks.
• Apathy: Describes a lack of motivation and feeling listless.
• Visual imagery: Conveys a strong visual image of hanging one's head or dropping one's shoulders.

3. Usage

「垂头丧气」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Failure or setbacks: Used to describe someone who has experienced failure or setbacks, such as failing an exam, losing a game, or making a mistake at work.
  • Example:「考试没考好，他垂头丧气地走出了考场。」
    （Having done poorly on the exam, he left the test hall dejected.）
• Misfortune or unhappiness: Can also describe someone struck by misfortune or bad news, such as when expectations are not realized or bad news is received.
  • Example:「听到这个坏消息，他垂头丧气，一句话也说不出来。」
    （Upon hearing that bad news, he became disheartened and couldn't say a word.）
• Reflection or regret: Can also describe someone reflecting on their actions or feeling regretful.
  • Example:「他垂头丧气地坐在那里，回想着自己犯下的错误。」
    （He sat there dejectedly, reflecting on the mistakes he had made.）

Additional Examples:

1. 面对困难，我们不能垂头丧气，要积极寻找解决办法。
   （Even when facing difficulties, we must not lose heart. We must actively seek solutions.）
2. 他因为项目失败而垂头丧气，同事们都在安慰他。
   （He is dejected about the project's failure, and his colleagues are comforting him.）
3. 比赛输了，整个队伍都显得垂头丧气。
   （Having lost the game, the entire team appeared downcast.）
4. 尽管遇到了挫折，但他并没有垂头丧气，反而更加努力工作。
   （Despite encountering setbacks, he didn't lose heart but instead worked even harder.）
5. 小猫被主人训斥后，垂头丧气地躲到了角落里。
   （After being scolded by its owner, the kitten hid in the corner dejectedly.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• The concept of 'qi' (气) in Chinese culture: In traditional Chinese thought, 'qi' represents life energy or spiritual state. 'Dejected' (垂头丧气) describes a state where this 'qi' is lost, indicating a lack of vitality and spiritual depression.
• Visual expression: 'Dejected' (垂头丧气) includes the specific action of hanging one's head, making it a very visually strong expression.
• Negative connotation: 'Dejected' (垂头丧气) is fundamentally a negative expression. When encouraging someone or expressing positive feelings, it is more appropriate to use other expressions.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 无精打采 (wú jīng dǎ cǎi): Lacking energy or vigor.
  • 灰心丧气 (huī xīn sàng qì): To lose heart from disappointment, to be dejected.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 精神抖擞 (jīng shén dǒu sǒu): Full of spirit and energy, invigorated.
  • 意气风发 (yì qì fēng fā): High-spirited and full of vigor.

6. Summary

'Dejected' (垂头丧气) is a visually evocative idiom that describes being disappointed and disheartened due to failure or misfortune. This expression represents a state where 'qi' (气) — meaning life energy in Chinese culture — has been lost. Understanding this cultural background provides deeper insight into its meaning.