hánsuān

寒酸

Word · Adjective

shabby; poverty-stricken appearance; ungracefully frugal

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

2 senses · 6 examples
1.

adjective

shabby; poverty-stricken (appearance); ungracefully frugal

neutral

Often used to describe someone's manner, appearance, or possessions as indicative of poverty and a lack of grace or sophistication, especially in the context of a struggling scholar.

Tā他
chuān穿
zhe着
yī一
jiàn件
jiù旧
cháng长
shān衫
 ,
yī一
fù副
hán寒
suān酸
xiàng相
 。

He wore an old long gown, looking very shabby.

Bié别
kàn看
tā他
xiàn现
zài在
hán寒
suān酸
 ,
dāng当
nián年
kě可
shì是
gè个
yǒu有
cái才
qì气
de的
shū书
shēng生
 。

Don't judge him by his current shabby appearance; he was a talented scholar back in the day.

Show 1 more example
Tā他
shēn身
shang上
zǒng总
dài带
zhe着
yī一
gǔ股
qióng穷
shū书
shēng生
de的
hán寒
suān酸
qì气
 。

He always carries an air of impoverished scholar about him.

2.

adjective

shabby;简陋简陋; tacky; unimpressive due to excessive frugality

neutral

Used to describe things, clothing, or living conditions that are too simple, cheap, or frugal to the point of being embarrassing or socially unacceptable.

Cān参
jiā加
hūn婚
lǐ礼
chuān穿
zhè这
shēn身
yī衣
fu服
 ,
wèi未
miǎn免
tài太
hán寒
suān酸
le了
 。

Wearing these clothes to a wedding is a bit too shabby.

Tā他
men们
de的
xīn新
jiā家
zhuāng装
xiū修
de得
hěn很
jiǎn简
dān单
 ,
shèn甚
zhì至
yǒu有
xiē些
hán寒
suān酸
 。

Their new home is decorated very simply, even somewhat shabbily.

Show 1 more example
Yòng用
sù塑
liào料
dài袋
zhuāng装
lǐ礼
wù物
sòng送
rén人
 ,
xiǎn显
de得
yǒu有
diǎn点
hán寒
suān酸
 。

Using a plastic bag to wrap a gift seems a bit tacky.