kǎn
𱂱
sallow-faced; haggard from hunger
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 2 examplesadjective
sallow-faced; haggard; having a tired and sickly complexion
archaicAn archaic, literary term specifically describing a haggard and yellowish complexion, often due to hunger, illness, or exhaustion. Not used in modern speech.
《
Chǔ楚
cí辞
》
yǒu有
yún云
：
“
kǎn顑
hàn颔
yì亦
hé何
shāng伤
。
”
xíng形
róng容
miàn面
róng容
qiáo憔
cuì悴
。
The 'Chu Ci' says: 'A haggard face, what harm is there?' describing a weary countenance.
Jī饥
mín民
kǎn顑
kǎn顑
，
lìng令
rén人
bù不
rěn忍
zhí直
shì视
。
The starving people looked haggard and sallow, making it unbearable to look directly at them.