About
The character 灰 is structurally composed of the component 厂, often interpreted as a cliff or shelter, and 火, meaning fire, with its etymology directly linked to the residue left after burning, hence its original meaning of "ashes" or "dust". From this concrete sense, the meaning naturally expanded to denote the color "gray", associated with the appearance of ash, and further evolved to carry abstract connotations, as seen in the compound 灰心, where it metaphorically signifies being disheartened or discouraged.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
天空是灰色的。
桌子上有很多灰尘。
他考试失败后很灰心。
大火之后只剩灰烬。
今天的天气很灰暗。
工人们正在用石灰粉刷墙壁。
他的头发已经变得灰白了。
即使遇到挫折，我们也不应该灰心丧气。