seoi4 tau4 song3 hei3垂頭喪氣垂头丧气
Jyutpingseoi4 tau4 song3 hei3
Yalesèuih tàuh song hei
Definition
Dejected, dispirited, or downcast due to failure or frustration.
colloquialemotiondescriptions
How it's used
This idiom describes a physical posture of defeat, literally referring to a drooping head and a loss of spirit. It is frequently used to describe someone who has just received bad news or failed at a task. Unlike simply being sad, it specifically highlights the visible lack of energy and motivation following a setback.
Examples
After he lost the competition, he looked completely dispirited.
Why are you looking so down? Try harder next time.
Related words
Common phrases
in a dispirited manner
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is just quiet or introverted, as it specifically implies a reaction to an external failure or disappointment.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
