Definitions

(adjective) dried up; withered
(verb) to wither; to die

Etymology

tree  provides the pronunciation

About

The character "枯" is structured with the semantic component "木", indicating its association with wood or trees, and the phonetic component "古", which provides pronunciation and contributes a sense of antiquity. This combination etymologically suggests the condition of wood that has aged and lost its moisture, leading to the core meaning of dryness or withering. Initially describing the desiccation of plant life, the term's application gradually extended to encompass any object or substance that has become dry, and it later acquired metaphorical uses in contexts denoting dullness or a lack of vitality.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Chu (Warring States: 475-221 BC)
Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Western Han dynasty (202 BC-9 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Cao Wei (Three Kingdoms: 222-280 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

小草黄了。

Xiǎo cǎo kū huáng le.

The grass has withered and turned yellow.

树木在秋天萎。

Shùmù zài qiūtiān kūwěi.

Trees wither in autumn.

枝在风中摇摆。

Kūzhī zài fēng zhōng yáobǎi.

Withered branches sway in the wind.

长期干旱导致井

Chángqī gānhàn dǎozhì jǐng kū.

Long-term drought has caused the well to dry up.

他的声音涩无力。

Tā de shēngyīn kūsè wúlì.

His voice is dry and weak.

经济竭让人担忧。

Jīngjì kūjié ràng rén dānyōu.

The economic depletion is worrying.

她的创作灵感竭了。

Tā de chuàngzuò línggǎn kūjié le.

Her creative inspiration has dried up.

这片土地因缺水而荒。

Zhè piàn tǔdì yīn quē shuǐ ér kūhuāng.

This land has become barren due to lack of water.