Meaning
寒酸 describes someone or something that appears poor, shabby, or wretched in appearance or circumstances. It often refers to a person's humble or pitiful condition, shabby clothing, or meager living situation. The word carries a somewhat pitying or self-deprecating tone rather than being harshly insulting.
Usage
This term is often used to describe someone's appearance when they look down on their luck or poorly dressed. It can be used self-deprecatingly when talking about one's own humble circumstances. Common in literary and spoken contexts, though slightly formal. Often appears in phrases describing scholars or intellectuals who are talented but poor.
Examples
- 01他穿着一身寒酸的旧衣服来参加聚会。.He came to the party wearing shabby old clothes.
- 02这点礼物太寒酸了，拿不出手。, .This gift is too shabby to present to others.
Characters
Common collocations
- 寒酸相shabby appearance
- 穷酸寒酸poor and wretched
- 寒酸样shabby look
- 显得寒酸to appear shabby
Antonyms
Origin
The combination of 寒 (cold/poor) and 酸 (sour/aching) creates an image of someone who is both materially poor and emotionally distressed, conveying the bitterness and discomfort of poverty.