decline; wane; go downhill
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 3 examplesverb
to decline; to wane; to go downhill
literaryA classical/literary term used to describe the gradual decline of nations, power, or social customs. Often carries a sense of gradual decay from a former peak.
Xī昔
rì日
de的
dì帝
guó国
，
rú如
jīn今
guó国
shì势
líng陵
yí夷
，
fēng风
guāng光
bú不
zài再
。
The once-great empire has now declined in national power, its former glory gone.
Shì世
fēng风
rì日
xià下
，
dào道
dé德
líng陵
yí夷
，
lìng令
rén人
yōu忧
xīn心
。
Public morals are deteriorating and ethical standards are declining, which is worrying.
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Zhè这
jiā家
bǎi百
nián年
lǎo老
diàn店
jīng经
yíng营
bú不
shàn善
，
shēng生
yì意
zhú逐
jiàn渐
líng陵
yí夷
。
Due to poor management, this century-old shop's business is gradually declining.