adjective / verb HSK 5
thin and weak · emaciated · to become thin · to waste away
Meaning
消瘦 describes someone who has become noticeably thin, often in an unhealthy way due to illness, stress, or hardship. It carries a negative connotation, suggesting weight loss that makes someone look frail or weakened, rather than attractively slim.
Usage
This word is typically used to describe physical deterioration or weight loss from illness, overwork, or worry. It's more formal than casual speech and often appears in written descriptions or medical contexts. Native speakers use it when they notice someone has lost weight in a concerning way, not for intentional dieting or fitness.
Examples
- 01他生病之后变得很消瘦。.He became very thin and weak after falling ill.
- 02长期的工作压力让她日渐消瘦。.Long-term work pressure caused her to become increasingly emaciated.
Characters
Common collocations
- 面容消瘦haggard face
- 身体消瘦emaciated body
- 日渐消瘦becoming thinner day by day
- 过度消瘦excessively thin
Antonyms
Origin
The word combines 消 (to diminish/waste) with 瘦 (thin), creating a compound that emphasizes the process of becoming unhealthily thin through wasting away.