惄 (nì) - Distressed & sorrowful

惄Tone 4

nì ｜ 12 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

惄 · nì

Distressed;

sorrowful;

anxious;

refers to a state of deep worry or grief.

Distressedsorrowfulanxious

Usage highlights

Deeply distressedSorrowful and anxiousHeart full of sorrowWorried and painedGrieved in heart

Synonyms

  • 忧— worry; sorrow
  • 愁— sad; distressed
  • 悲— grief; sorrow

Antonyms

  • 喜— joy; happiness
  • 乐— happy; pleased

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He felt deeply distressed (惄如调饥).
  • The poem expresses sorrowful longing (惄焉如捣).
  • She was anxious about the future (中心惄然).

Collocations

  • Deeply distressed(惄如调饥)
  • Sorrowful and anxious(惄焉如捣)
  • Heart full of sorrow(中心惄然)
  • Worried and pained(惄惄不安)
  • Grieved in heart(忧心惄惄)

Idioms

  • Distressed as if suffering hunger(惄如调饥)
  • Sorrowful as if being pounded(惄焉如捣)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Appears in classical Chinese poetry, particularly in the Book of Songs, to describe profound emotional distress.
  • Used in literary contexts to convey a deep, inward sorrow rather than superficial sadness.
  • The character is rare in modern usage but preserved in classical texts and idioms.

FAQ