desolate and cold; mournful
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesadjective
desolate and cold; cold and quiet
literaryDescribes scenery, atmosphere, or environments that are cold, quiet, and desolate. Often used in literary contexts to depict autumn nights, moonlight, or deserted alleys.
qī凄
qīng清
de的
yuè月
guāng光
sǎ洒
zài在
hú湖
miàn面
shàng上
。
The cold, desolate moonlight spilled onto the surface of the lake.
qiū秋
yè夜
qī凄
qīng清
，
wàn万
lài籁
jù俱
jì寂
。
The autumn night was desolate and cold; all was silent.
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tā他
dú独
zì自
zǒu走
zài在
qī凄
qīng清
de的
xiǎo小
xiàng巷
lǐ里
。
He walked alone in the cold, quiet alley.
adjective
mournful; plaintive; melancholic
literaryDescribes sounds (music, voice, instruments) that are mournful, melancholic, and evoke feelings of sadness. Often used to describe the sound of the qin (zither), flute, or singing.
qín琴
shēng声
qī凄
qīng清
，
lìng令
rén人
gǎn感
shāng伤
。
The plaintive sound of the zither made one feel melancholic.
yuǎn远
chù处
chuán传
lái来
qī凄
qīng清
de的
dí笛
shēng声
。
From afar came the mournful sound of a flute.
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tā她
de的
gē歌
shēng声
qī凄
qīng清
wǎn婉
zhuǎn转
。
Her singing was plaintive and melodious.