垂頭喪氣

Chinese

to hang or bow one's head
trad. (垂頭喪氣) 垂頭 喪氣
simp. (垂头丧气) 垂头 丧气
Literally: “to bow one's head and lose heart”.

Etymology

From “Goodbye to Penury” (送窮文) by Han Yu (韓愈):

主人於是垂頭喪氣上手稱謝上座 [Classical Chinese, trad.][▼ expand/hide]
主人于是垂头丧气上手称谢上座 [Classical Chinese, simp.]
Zhǔrén yúshì chuítóusàngqì, shàngshǒu chēngxiè, shāo chē yǔ chuán, yán zhī shàngzuò. [Pinyin]
The master then bowed his head and felt disheartened, raised his hand to thank them [the ghosts of poverty], burned the cart and boat, and invited them to the seat of honour.

Pronunciation


Idiom

垂頭喪氣

  1. dispirited; dejected

Synonyms

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