穷困潦倒

窮困潦倒
qióngkùn-liáodǎo
idiom

Meanings

  1. 1 poverty-stricken and downtrodden
  2. 2 destitute and dejected
  3. 3 in dire poverty and low spirits

Examples

Nàwèi shīrén wǎnnián qióngkùnliáodǎo.
The poet spent his late years in poverty and dejection.
Shīyè hòu, tā yīdù qióngkùnliáodǎo.
After losing his job, he was destitute and dejected for a while.
Xiǎoshuō de zhǔjué cóng fùshāng biànchéng le yīgè qióngkùnliáodǎo de liúlànghàn.
The novel's protagonist goes from wealthy merchant to a destitute, downtrodden vagrant.

Tips

history
潦倒 comes from Du Fu's 《》: '艰难潦倒酒杯' — the elderly poet sets down his cup, too dejected even to drink. 穷困潦倒 combines this with straightforward poverty.

Stroke Order

qióng
kùn
liáo
dǎo