sparse; desolate; scattered; few and far between
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesadjective
sparse; scattered; few and far between
literaryDescribes things that are scattered or few in number, often used for stars, lights, or population.
Tái抬
tóu头
wàng望
qù去
，
zhǐ只
jiàn见
shū疏
xīng星
liáo寥
luò落
。
Looking up, I saw only a few scattered stars.
Shēn深
xiàng巷
dēng灯
huǒ火
liáo寥
luò落
，
xíng行
rén人
xī稀
shǎo少
。
The deep alley had few lights and sparse pedestrians.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zhè这
gè个
cūn村
zhuāng庄
rén人
kǒu口
liáo寥
luò落
，
nián年
qīng轻
rén人
dà大
duō多
wài外
chū出
dǎ打
gōng工
le了
。
This village has a sparse population, as most young people have gone to work outside.
adjective
desolate; lonely; bleak; forlorn
literaryDescribes places or situations that are cold, lonely, or deserted, often implying decline from former prosperity.
Xī昔
rì日
fán繁
huá华
de的
tíng庭
yuàn院
，
rú如
jīn今
huāng荒
yuán园
liáo寥
luò落
。
The once bustling courtyard is now a desolate garden.
Mén门
tíng庭
liáo寥
luò落
，
chē车
mǎ马
xī稀
shǎo少
，
xiǎn显
de得
gé格
wài外
lěng冷
qīng清
。
With few visitors and scarce carriages, the place seemed especially cold and lonely.
Show 1 more exampleShow fewer examples
Zhè这
tiáo条
xiǎo小
xiàng巷
liáo寥
luò落
lěng冷
qīng清
，
hěn很
shǎo少
kàn看
dào到
xíng行
rén人
。
This small alley is desolate and quiet, with pedestrians rarely seen.