About
The character 怠, formed by the phonetic element 台 positioned above the semantic component 心 denoting heart or mind, originally conveyed a sense of mental indolence or spiritual sluggishness, with its early usage focused on describing laziness as an internal disposition. Over time, its meaning expanded beyond simple idleness to encompass negligence and remissness, reflecting a broader conceptual shift towards attitudes of inattention or lack of diligence, as evidenced in classical and modern compounds. The consistent presence of the heart radical underscores the enduring perception of such slackness as rooted in one's mental or emotional state, while the phonetic role of 台 has remained primarily sonic, with its contribution to meaning being minimal. This progression from denoting personal laziness to including formal neglect illustrates how the character's structural composition has continually aligned with its core semantic field of psychological laxity.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
我们不要懈怠。
他对工作很怠慢。
长时间的懈怠会导致失败。
由于他的怠工，项目进度被推迟了。
你这种怠惰的态度让我很失望。
无论学习什么，都切忌心生懈怠。
面对重要任务，任何形式的怠忽都是不可原谅的。
他因为之前的怠惰，现在必须付出加倍的努力来弥补。