kǎn
坎𡒄
frustrated; down on one's luck
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesadjective
in straitened circumstances; down on one's luck; frustrated in ambition
literaryA literary word, used to describe a person's life or career plagued by difficulties and a sense of failure to achieve one's aspirations.
Tā他
yī一
shēng生
kǎn坎
lǎn廪
，
yù郁
yù郁
bù不
dé得
zhì志
。
He lived a frustrated and unhappy life, never achieving his ambitions.
Shī诗
rén人
wǎn晚
nián年
shēng生
huó活
kǎn坎
lǎn廪
，
quán全
kào靠
yǒu友
rén人
jiē接
jì济
。
The poet's later years were spent in straitened circumstances, relying entirely on the aid of friends.
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Huí回
shǒu首
wǎng往
shì事
，
wéi唯
yǒu有
yī一
shēng声
kǎn坎
lǎn廪
de的
tàn叹
xī息
。
Looking back on the past, all that remains is a sigh of frustration and regret.