Meaning
寂寞 describes a deep feeling of loneliness or emotional isolation, often with a sense of melancholy. It emphasizes the inner emotional state of feeling alone rather than just the physical state of being by oneself. This word carries more emotional weight than simply being alone and often implies a longing for companionship or connection.
Usage
寂寞 is commonly used in literary contexts, songs, and emotional conversations. It's more formal and poetic than 孤单 (gū dān). Native speakers often use it to describe prolonged emotional loneliness rather than temporary solitude. It frequently appears in phrases like 感到寂寞 (gǎn dào jì mò, to feel lonely) and is often used to describe nights, hearts, or people.
Examples
- 01一个人在异国他乡生活，有时会感到很寂寞。, .Living alone in a foreign country, one sometimes feels very lonely.
- 02她坐在窗边，望着外面的雨，心里充满了寂寞。, , .She sat by the window, gazing at the rain outside, her heart filled with loneliness.
Characters
Common collocations
- 感到寂寞to feel lonely
- 寂寞的夜晚lonely night
- 内心寂寞lonely at heart
- 很寂寞very lonely
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters share the roof radical 宀 (mián), representing a house or dwelling, suggesting the loneliness one might feel even within one's home. The characters reinforce each other to intensify the meaning of solitude and quietness.