Definition
潦倒 describes a person who is down-and-out — frustrated, impoverished, and unable to get ahead. It's a literary stative verb (similar to an adjective) that paints a vivid picture of someone who has fallen on hard times, often after a period of former success. The word carries a tone of pity and regret, and it's not used in casual conversation about everyday bad luck — save it for describing a dramatic reversal of fortune.
r.v.
to be down and outto be frustrated and impoverished
Examples
- 潦倒，。Nà wèi zuòjiā wǎnnián shēnghuó liáo dǎo, yùyù bù dé zhì.That writer lived a down-and-out life in his later years, depressed and unfulfilled.
- 潦倒，。Tā suīrán liáo dǎo, dàn cóngwèi fàngqì zìjǐ de lǐxiǎng.Although he was down and out, he never gave up on his ideals.
- 潦倒。Nàge céngjīng fùyǒu de shāngrén rújīn yǐjīng liáo dǎo bùkān.That once wealthy businessman is now utterly down and out.
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