萎靡 (wěi mǐ) — dispirited; depressed; listless

Definition

Literary/formal word for a prolonged lack of energy or spirit — 'dispirited, listless'. Often appears with 不振 as 萎靡不振. Use for moods and energy, not a single sad moment.

adjective
dispiriteddepressedlistless

Examples

  • 萎靡，。
    Tā zuì jìn jīng shén wěi mǐ, gōng zuò xiào lǜ hěn dī.
    He's been dispirited lately and his work efficiency is very low.
  • 萎靡。
    Cháng qī wěi mǐ de qíng xù huì yǐng xiǎng shēn tǐ jiàn kāng.
    Long-term depressed emotions can affect your physical health.
  • ，。
    Tā kàn qǐ lái wěi mǐ bú zhèn, hǎo xiàng yǒu xīn shì.
    He looks listless, as if something is on his mind.

Origin

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.

萎wěiwither
靡mídecline

萎 and 靡 both suggest withering and decline, giving a listless, dispirited sense.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
艹Written in full as艸cǎograss; plant
Sound part声符shēngfú
委
委wěi萎wěi
Same sound today

萎 puts 艹, a plant radical, over 委, which gives the sound.

Open 萎 →

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

Meaning part形符xíngfú
非非fēi
Sound part声符shēngfú
麻
麻má靡mí
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

靡 combines 非, linked to scattering, with 麻 for sound.

Open 靡 →

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