凋 (diāo) - to wither & to fade

凋Tone 1

diāo ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

橙丁

凋 · diāo

to wither;

to fade;

to decay;

to become emaciated

to witherto fadeto decay

Usage highlights

to wither and fallto wither and fadedecline and impoverishmentwithered and gauntwithered and fallenwithered and decayed

Synonyms

  • 枯— withered, dried up
  • 萎— wilted, shriveled
  • 谢— to wither, to fade

Antonyms

  • 荣— flourishing, prosperous
  • 茂— luxuriant, lush
  • 盛— flourishing, abundant

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The flowers withered in the cold (凋谢).
  • His face became gaunt from illness (凋枯).
  • Leaves fall and flowers fade (凋落).
  • The business declined rapidly (凋敝).

Collocations

  • to wither and fall(凋落)
  • to wither and fade(凋谢)
  • decline and impoverishment(凋敝)
  • withered and gaunt(凋枯)
  • withered and fallen(凋零)
  • withered and decayed(凋萎)

Idioms

  • Flowers wither when separated from their roots(松柏后凋)
  • Remain green when others wither(岁寒松柏)
  • The decline of an era(民生凋敝)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Often used in classical poetry to convey the passage of time and impermanence.
  • Associated with autumn imagery and the natural cycle of growth and decay.
  • Can symbolize personal decline or the fading of beauty and vitality.

FAQ