About
The character "潦" structurally combines the water radical with the phonetic and semantic component "寮", indicating its original connection to water, particularly in terms of accumulation or overflow, as seen in early texts where it described flooded or waterlogged conditions. From this concrete foundation, the meaning gradually broadened to encompass states of disorder or neglect, evident in compounds like "潦草", which denotes sloppy or careless execution, especially in handwriting. Further semantic development led to its use in "潦倒", where it conveys a sense of dejection or decline, shifting the term from physical water excess to metaphorical expressions of personal disarray. This expansion in application demonstrates how the character's core imagery of inundation was adapted to describe both tangible and abstract forms of turmoil without altering its fundamental graphical composition.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
他的字写得很潦草。
不要潦草地完成作业。
潦倒的生活让他很沮丧。
他最近事业潦倒，心情不好。
这封信写得太潦草，我看不懂。
画家故意用潦草的线条表现情感。
大雨过后，田野里尽是潦水。
相比过去的潦倒，他现在的生活好多了。