喪 (sàng) - To lose & to be bereaved of

喪Tone 4

sàng ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

三姗

喪 · sàng

To lose;

to be bereaved of;

mourning;

funeral;

to be defeated;

to perish.

To loseto be bereaved ofmourning

Usage highlights

To lose one's lifeFuneral ritesTo be in mourningTo lose faceTo be discouragedTo lose one's country

Synonyms

  • 失— to lose
  • 亡— to perish; to die
  • 殞— to fall; to perish

Antonyms

  • 得— to gain; to obtain
  • 勝— to win
  • 興— to prosper; to rise

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He lost his parents at a young age (喪失父母).
  • The nation mourned the loss of its leader (舉國喪慟).
  • They held a funeral for the deceased (舉行喪禮).
  • The team suffered a defeat (球隊喪敗).

Collocations

  • To lose one's life(喪命)
  • Funeral rites(喪禮)
  • To be in mourning(服喪)
  • To lose face(喪失面子)
  • To be discouraged(沮喪)
  • To lose one's country(喪國)

Idioms

  • As if having lost one's parents(如喪考妣)
  • Having lost all standing(喪家之犬)
  • To lose one's soul(喪魂落魄)
  • To lose both one's capital and the army(喪師失地)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In traditional Chinese culture, mourning rituals (喪禮) are highly structured and elaborate, reflecting Confucian values of filial piety.
  • The character appears in terms related to loss of face, status, or morale, indicating deep social and psychological dimensions.
  • Historical texts often use 喪 to describe the fall of states or defeat in battle, emphasizing grave consequences.

FAQ