凄恻

悽惻

qīcè

adjective

Meanings

1 heartbroken
2 sorrowful
3 mournful
4 deeply grieved

Characters

bleak / mournful

grieved / sorrowful

Examples

HSK 7-9

她的歌声哀婉凄恻。

Tā de gēshēng āiwǎn qīcè.

Her singing was plaintive and sorrowful.

HSK 7-9

读到这一段，他不由得心中凄恻。

Dú dào zhè yí duàn, tā bùyóude xīnzhōng qīcè.

Reading this passage, he couldn't help feeling heartbroken.

Tips

register

Literary. 恻 (cè) means 'grieved / pained' - the same character in 恻隐之心 (a compassionate heart, from 《孟子》). 凄恻 typically describes music, voices, expressions, or moods in elevated writing.

Stroke Order

凄 qī

恻 cè