餒 (něi) - Hungry & famished

餒Tone 3

něi ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

楠念

餒 · něi

Hungry;

famished;

to be hungry;

also used figuratively to mean discouraged, disheartened, or lacking confidence.

Hungryfamishedto be hungry

Usage highlights

To be hungryTo be discouragedHunger and coldSelfWin without pride, lose without discouragementNever be discouraged

Synonyms

  • 饿— hungry
  • 饥— famine, hunger
  • 沮— dejected, discouraged

Antonyms

  • 饱— full, satiated
  • 骄— arrogant, proud (antonym in the context of 胜不骄，败不馁)
  • 振— to rouse, to invigorate

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The child is hungry (孩子饿了).
  • Do not be discouraged by failure (不要因失败而气馁).
  • He felt disheartened after the setback (他受挫后感到气馁).
  • Hunger and cold are difficult to endure (饥馑难耐).

Collocations

  • To be hungry(饥饿)
  • To be discouraged(气馁)
  • Hunger and cold(饥馑)
  • Self-doubt(自馁)
  • Win without pride, lose without discouragement(胜不骄，败不馁)
  • Never be discouraged(永不气馁)

Idioms

  • Win without arrogance, lose without dejection(胜不骄，败不馁)
  • Never say die(气馁志不衰)
  • Not discouraged by poverty(贫贱不能馁)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character 馁 originally referred to physical hunger, but its meaning expanded to include psychological states like discouragement.
  • In Confucian and other classical texts, maintaining moral integrity and not being 'discouraged' (馁) by poverty or hardship is a key virtue.
  • The idiom '胜不骄，败不馁' is a common admonition in both educational and competitive contexts, emphasizing emotional balance.

FAQ