About
The character 狈, with its traditional form 狽, is structurally composed of the canine radical 犭 and the right-hand component 贝 (貝 in traditional), which likely functioned phonetically. Etymologically, it referred to a mythical creature in Chinese folklore described as a wolf-like animal with defective forelegs, requiring support from a wolf to move. The literal zoological reference became obscure over centuries, and the character now primarily exists in the compound 狼狈, which conveys a sense of being disconcerted or in a difficult position. This shift represents a movement from a concrete mythological designation to an abstract, idiomatic usage.
Etymology Hide
Example Sentences Hide
今天他很狼狈。
他逃跑时很狼狈。
下雨让他变得狼狈。
他浑身湿透，样子很狼狈。
尽管狼狈，他依然坚持完成了任务。
他从未如此狼狈过，这次真是丢脸。
看到他那副狼狈的模样，大家都忍不住笑了。
在众目睽睽之下，他摔了一跤，显得十分狼狈。