枵 (xiāo) - Empty, hollow, desolate & thin, emaciated

枵Tone 1

xiāo ｜ 9 strokes ｜ radical:

想信

枵 · xiāo

Empty, hollow, desolate;

thin, emaciated;

(of cloth) thin and brittle;

(archaic) center of a wheel hub.

Empty, hollow, desolatethin, emaciated(of cloth) thin and brittle

Usage highlights

Empty stomachHollow woodThin fabricEmaciated appearanceDesolate and barrenHollow center

Synonyms

  • 空— empty, hollow
  • 虚— void, empty
  • 薄— thin, weak

Antonyms

  • 实— solid, full
  • 厚— thick, substantial
  • 饱— full, satiated

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The tree trunk is hollow inside (枵木).
  • He looks thin and frail (枵腹).
  • This fabric feels thin and flimsy (枵薄).
  • The wheel hub's center is empty (枵腹).

Collocations

  • Empty stomach(枵腹)
  • Hollow wood(枵木)
  • Thin fabric(枵薄)
  • Emaciated appearance(枵形)
  • Desolate and barren(枵荒)
  • Hollow center(枵中)

Idioms

  • Hungry and exhausted(枵腹从公)
  • Empty stomach and thin clothing(枵腹重趼)
  • Hollow and useless(枵腹无用)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to the hollow center of a wheel hub in ancient texts.
  • Extended meaning to describe emptiness, hollowness, or thinness in various contexts.
  • Often used in classical Chinese to depict physical frailty or material deficiency.

FAQ