Definitions

léi entangled; lean

Etymology

About

The character "羸" signifies thinness or weakness, and its structure integrates the semantic radical "羊" (sheep) with a phonetic component historically linked to "嬴", suggesting an original association with emaciated animals. Over time, its application expanded from describing lean livestock to encompassing general physical depletion in humans and other contexts, while the character's form consolidated into its current composition.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Qin dynasty (221-206 BC)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern