竆 (qióng) - Poor & destitute

竆Tone 2

qióng ｜ 18 strokes ｜ radical:

情仁

竆 · qióng

Poor;

destitute;

exhausted;

to the utmost limit;

to investigate thoroughly.

Poordestituteexhausted

Usage highlights

Extreme povertyExhaust all possibilitiesInvestigate principles thoroughlyUtterly destituteReach the limitPoor scholar

Synonyms

  • 穷— poor; exhausted (simplified variant)
  • 贫— poor; impoverished
  • 尽— exhaust; use up

Antonyms

  • 富— rich; wealthy
  • 达— prosperous; successful
  • 通— unobstructed; flowing

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • He lives in extreme poverty (家徒四壁，生活竆困).
  • We have exhausted all possibilities (我们已经竆尽了所有可能).
  • The scholar investigated the principle thoroughly (学者竆理尽性).

Collocations

  • Extreme poverty(竆困)
  • Exhaust all possibilities(竆尽)
  • Investigate principles thoroughly(竆理)
  • Utterly destitute(竆乏)
  • Reach the limit(竆极)
  • Poor scholar(竆书生)

Idioms

  • At the end of one's rope(山竆水尽)
  • Exhaust all one's resources(计竆力竭)
  • Thoroughly investigate things and extend knowledge(格物竆理)
  • Poor and lowly(竆困潦倒)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In classical Chinese philosophy, 'qiong' represents both material poverty and the thorough investigation of principles.
  • The character appears in Confucian texts discussing the pursuit of knowledge through exhaustive study.
  • Traditionally associated with scholars who maintained integrity despite poverty.

FAQ