About
The character 困 is structurally composed of the enclosure radical 囗 surrounding the tree radical 木, reflecting its etymological basis in the concept of confinement or being trapped. This initial sense of physical restriction broadened to encompass abstract states of difficulty or hardship. Over time, its semantic range further expanded to include the feeling of weariness or sleepiness, derived from the notion of being mentally or physically constrained by fatigue. While the form 困 has been used consistently for meanings related to adversity, a traditional variant 睏, incorporating the eye component 目, specifically denotes drowsiness. The components 囗 and 木 have thus anchored the character's form as its meanings evolved from concrete imprisonment to metaphorical and physiological states.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我现在很困。
他因困难而放弃。
这个问题困扰着我。
贫困地区需要帮助。
他被困在电梯里。
克服困难需要勇气。
长期困扰他的问题解决了。
在贫困中成长的孩子更懂得珍惜。