emotionally distant; estranged
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 4 examplesadjective
emotionally distant; estranged; lacking warmth (between people who should be close)
Used to describe relationships where people who should be close (such as family members or old friends) become distant, overly formal, or lacking in warmth. Often implies that politeness or time apart has created an unnatural barrier.
Dōu都
shì是
zì自
jiā家
rén人
，
yī一
kè客
qi气
dǎo倒
xiǎn显
de得
shēng生
fen分
le了
。
We're all family, so being overly polite actually makes us seem distant.
Duō多
nián年
bú不
jiàn见
，
wǒ我
men们
zhī之
jiān间
biàn变
de得
yǒu有
xiē些
shēng生
fen分
le了
。
We haven't seen each other for years, so we've become somewhat estranged.
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Gēn跟
zì自
jǐ己
de的
qīn亲
xiōng兄
dì弟
hái还
zhè这
me么
jiàn见
wài外
，
tài太
shēng生
fen分
le了
。
You're being so standoffish with your own brother—it's too distant.
Tā她
gāng刚
dào到
xīn新
huán环
jìng境
，
gēn跟
dà大
jiā家
hái还
yǒu有
xiē些
shēng生
fen分
。
She just arrived in the new environment and is still somewhat reserved with everyone.