孱 (càn) - Weak & frail

孱Tone 4

càn ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

偲嫦

孱 · càn

Weak;

frail;

feeble;

lowly;

humble;

also used to describe something of inferior quality.

Weakfrailfeeble

Usage highlights

Weak and frailFrail bodyHumble dwellingInferior qualityFeeble and timidWeak and thin

Synonyms

  • 弱— weak; feeble
  • 虚— weak; feeble; deficient
  • 柔— soft; gentle; weak

Antonyms

  • 强— strong; powerful
  • 壮— strong; robust
  • 健— healthy; strong

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He looked pale and weak (孱弱).
  • The sickly child had a frail body (孱弱的身体).
  • They lived in a humble dwelling (孱居).
  • The quality of the product is inferior (质量孱劣).

Collocations

  • Weak and frail(孱弱)
  • Frail body(孱躯)
  • Humble dwelling(孱居)
  • Inferior quality(孱劣)
  • Feeble and timid(孱怯)
  • Weak and thin(孱瘦)

Idioms

  • Weak and incompetent(孱弱无能)
  • Feeble and cowardly(孱怯畏缩)
  • Of poor quality and inferior(孱劣不堪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character depicts a weak person inside a house, conveying physical frailty and vulnerability.
  • Often carries negative connotations of inadequacy, inferiority, or lack of strength in both physical and moral senses.
  • Rarely used in modern given names due to its negative semantic associations.

FAQ