About
The character 凄 is a phono-semantic compound. Its left-side radical 冫 (bīng) indicates the semantic category of ice or freezing cold, while the right component 妻 (qī, wife) provides the phonetic element. Traditional variants include 淒, with the water radical 氵, and 悽, with the heart radical 忄, which emphasizes emotional distress. The core meaning refers to intense physical coldness or frost. This sensation of chill extends metaphorically to describe profound sadness, misery, loneliness, and the bleak desolation of desolate places.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
冬天的夜晚很凄凉。
他露出了凄惨的笑容。
雨中的街道显得分外凄凉。
战争留下了凄惨的回忆。
凄冷的月光照在空地上。
她独自一人，感到无比凄楚。
废墟中弥漫着一种凄迷的气氛。
经济萧条给小镇带来了凄凉的景象。