Definition
摧残 (cuī cán) means to ravage or ruin something valuable, especially through prolonged hardship or cruelty, targeting abstract things like health, spirit, or hope. Unlike 毁灭 (total annihilation) or 摧毁 (physical destruction), 摧残 implies a gradual, corrosive process. It also differs from 糟蹋 (to waste/abuse), which is less severe and more concrete.
verb
to ravageto ruin (esp. one's body, mind, spirit, or valuable abstract things)
Easily confused
- 璀璨cuǐ cànsound-alike(of light, jewels, etc.) bright and dazzling
Examples
- 摧残。Chángqī shīmián huì cuī cán rén de shēnxīn jiànkāng.Long-term insomnia can ravage one's physical and mental health.
- 摧残。Nà chǎng zāinàn cuī cán le tā suǒyǒu de xīwàng.That disaster ruined all his hopes.
- 摧残。Zhànzhēng cuī cán le wúshù jiātíng.The war ravaged countless families.
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