狽 (bèi) - Wretched — describes a miserable, wretched, or distressed & often used in conjunction with 狼 (wolf) in

狽Tone 4

bèi ｜ 10 strokes ｜ radical:

傲不

狽 · bèi

Wretched — describes a miserable, wretched, or distressed state;

often used in conjunction with 狼 (wolf) in idioms to depict a sorry or desperate situation.

Wretched — describes a miserable, wretched, or distressedoften used in conjunction with 狼 (wolf) in

Usage highlights

Wretched and embarrassedWolf and wretchedWretched flightWretched and craftyExtremely wretchedAppear wretched

Synonyms

  • 狼— wolf (in collocation)
  • 窘— embarrassed
  • 尴尬— awkward

Antonyms

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He looked utterly wretched (狼狈不堪).
  • The two conspirators were in cahoots (狼狈为奸).
  • They fled in a sorry state (狼狈逃窜).

Collocations

  • Wretched and embarrassed(狼狈不堪)
  • Wolf and wretched(狼狈)
  • Wretched flight(狼狈逃窜)
  • Wretched and crafty(狼狈为奸)
  • Extremely wretched(十分狼狈)
  • Appear wretched(显得狼狈)

Idioms

  • In a sorry plight; extremely embarrassed(狼狈不堪)
  • Act in collusion for evil purposes(狼狈为奸)
  • Wolf and wretched — in a sorry plight(狼狈)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • Originally referred to a legendary wolf-like beast with short forelegs that had to lean on a wolf to walk, hence symbolizing dependence and wretchedness.
  • The character 狽 is almost exclusively used in fixed expressions, particularly with 狼, in modern Chinese.
  • These idioms carry strong negative connotations, often describing conspiratorial behavior or extreme distress.

FAQ