窘

jiǒng

君 + 穴

Definitions

jiǒng (adjective) embarrassed; distressed

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. 穴 represents the meaning and 君 represents the sound.

Semantic: 穴 Phonetic: 君

About

窘 (jiǒng) is a phono-semantic compound: the upper element 穴 (cave) conveys the sense of being confined and restricted in a tight space, while the lower element 君 (jūn) provides the sound. Its original literal meaning described the physical state of being cornered, obstructed, or trapped in a narrow, inescapable location. Over time, this concrete sense of physical entrapment evolved into a metaphor for psychological and social distress, including extreme financial poverty or intense embarrassment. The character draws a parallel between the physical impossibility of escaping a cramped position and the emotional discomfort of finding oneself in an awkward or humiliating predicament.

Etymology Hide

Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)

Traditional Modern

Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

他看起来很窘。

ta1 kan4 qi3 lai2 hen3 jiong3.

He looks very embarrassed.

在大家面前他有点窘。

zai4 da4 jia1 mian4 qian2 ta1 you3 dian3 jiong3.

He is a bit embarrassed in front of everyone.

他陷入了窘境。

ta1 xian4 ru4 le jiong3 jing4.

He has fallen into a difficult situation.

那个问题让他十分窘迫。

na4 ge wen4 ti2 rang4 ta1 shi2 fen1 jiong3 po4.

That question made him very embarrassed.

他窘得说不出话来。

ta1 jiong3 de shuo1 bu4 chu1 hua4 lai2.

He was so embarrassed that he couldn't speak.

在严肃的场合下，他感到特别窘。

zai4 yan2 su4 de chang3 he2 xia4, ta1 gan3 dao4 te4 bie2 jiong3.

In a serious setting, he felt particularly awkward.

资金短缺使公司处境窘困。

zi1 jin1 duan3 que1 shi3 gong1 si1 chu3 jing4 jiong3 kun4.

The shortage of funds has put the company in a difficult position.

尽管他试图掩饰，但窘态还是暴露无遗。

jin3 guan3 ta1 shi4 tu2 yan3 shi4, dan4 jiong3 tai4 hai2 shi4 bao4 lu4 wu2 yi2.

Although he tried to hide it, his embarrassment was still completely exposed.

Related Characters

Component: 君

Component: 穴

窘