Definitions

chàng (adjective) regretful; despondent

Etymology

Phonosemantic compound. represents the meaning and represents the sound. Simplified form of .

Semantic: Phonetic:

About

The character "怅", with its traditional form "悵", is constructed from the heart radical "忄" and the phonetic component "长" in simplified or "長" in traditional script, anchoring it semantically to emotional experiences. Etymologically, the heart radical classifies it within feelings, while the phonetic element historically contributed to pronunciation and perhaps metaphorically suggested prolonged or lingering states. Initially used in classical literature to convey a sense of loss or dissatisfaction, the character's meaning has consistently centered on disappointment and regret, though over time its application has narrowed to often describe a subdued, contemplative sadness rather than acute distress. The structural evolution from "悵" to "怅" involved simplifying the phonetic component, which altered the character's visual form but did not disrupt its fundamental semantic link to sorrowful emotion.

Etymology Hide

Seal etymology image
Seal Shuowen (~100 AD)
Clerical etymology image
Clerical Eastern Han dynasty (25-220 AD)
Traditional Modern
Simplified Modern

Example Sentences Hide

我感到有些然。

Wǒ gǎndào yǒuxiē chàngrán.

I feel somewhat disappointed.

他心中充满惘。

Tā xīnzhōng chōngmǎn chàngwǎng.

His heart is filled with melancholy.

失去机会后他很恨。

Shīqù jīhuì hòu tā hěn chànghèn.

After losing the opportunity, he felt very resentful.

地望着远方。

Tā chàngchàng de wàngzhe yuǎnfāng.

She gazed into the distance disconsolately.

对于失败,他感到十分惘。

Duìyú shībài, tā gǎndào shífēn chàngwǎng.

Regarding the failure, he felt very disheartened.

在夕阳下,她独自惘地走着。

Zài xīyáng xià, tā dúzì chàngwǎng de zǒuzhe.

Under the sunset, she walked alone melancholily.

面对朋友的离去,他心中涌起一阵然。

Miànduì péngyou de líqù, tā xīnzhōng yǒngqǐ yīzhèn chàngrán.

Facing the departure of his friend, a wave of disappointment rose in his heart.

他因为梦想破灭而感到无尽的惘。

Tā yīnwèi mèngxiǎng pòmiè ér gǎndào wújìn de chàngwǎng.

Because his dream was shattered, he felt endless melancholy.