兴衰 (xīng shuāi) — rise and decline; ups and downs; vicissitudes

Definition

A bookish noun meaning the rise and fall of a country, dynasty, company, or city over time. Often paired with 经历 or 研究 to frame historical change.

noun

rise and declineups and downsvicissitudes

兴衰。
Yí gè wáng cháo de xīng shuāi wǎng wǎng yǔ tǒng zhì zhě de zhèng cè mì qiè xiāng guān.
The rise and decline of a dynasty is often closely related to the ruler's policies.
兴衰，。
Zhè jiā gōng sī jīng lì le shù shí nián de xīng shuāi, zuì zhōng chéng wéi háng yè jù tóu.
This company has experienced decades of ups and downs and eventually became an industry giant.
兴衰，。
Lì shǐ xué jiā yán jiū chéng shì de xīng shuāi, shì tú zhǎo chū guī lǜ.
Historians study the vicissitudes of cities, trying to find patterns.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéSide by side

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

兴 means rising, 衰 means falling, naming ups and downs.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 興; 兴 is its simplified writing.

The traditional form 興 shows four hands lifting an object; the simplified 兴 is not the form described.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

The old form of 衰 pictures a palm-fiber raincoat, a garment later written with another character.