adjective / verb HSK 6
Traditional 頹
decadent · dispirited · dilapidated · to collapse
Meaning
颓 describes a state of decline, decay, or loss of spirit. It can refer to physical deterioration (like a crumbling building) or psychological states (feeling dejected or lacking vitality). The character often conveys a sense of something falling from a higher state to a lower one.
Usage
This is a somewhat literary or formal word. In modern usage, 颓废 (tuífèi, decadent/dispirited) is more common than 颓 alone. Young people sometimes use 颓 colloquially to mean feeling unmotivated or lethargic. It carries a negative connotation of deterioration or listlessness.
Examples
- 01他最近精神很颓废，整天待在家里。, .He's been very dispirited lately, staying at home all day.
- 02这座古庙已经颓败不堪了。.This ancient temple has fallen into complete disrepair.
Common collocations
- 颓废decadent, dispirited
- 颓丧dejected, despondent
- 颓势declining trend
- 颓唐dejected, dispirited
Antonyms
Origin
The traditional form 頹 contains 頁 (page/head) as the semantic component, originally depicting something falling or collapsing from the top. The simplified form 颓 retains the 页 radical.