穷困潦倒

窮困潦倒

qióngkùn-liáodǎo

idiom

Meanings

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

Characters

difficult / trapped

dejected / adrift

Examples

HSK 7-9

那位诗人晚年穷困潦倒。

Nàwèi shīrén wǎnnián qióngkùn-liáodǎo.

The poet spent his late years in poverty and dejection.

HSK 7-9

失业后，他一度穷困潦倒。

Shīyè hòu, tā yídù qióngkùn-liáodǎo.

After losing his job, he was destitute and dejected for a while.

HSK 7-9

小说的主角从富商变成了一个穷困潦倒的流浪汉。

Xiǎoshuō de zhǔjué cóng fùshāng biànchéng le yígè qióngkùn-liáodǎo de liúlànghàn.

The novel's protagonist goes from wealthy merchant to a destitute, downtrodden vagrant.

Tips

history

潦倒 comes from Du Fu's 《登高》: 艰难苦恨繁霜鬓，潦倒新停浊酒杯 - the elderly poet sets down his cup, too dejected even to drink. 穷困潦倒 combines this with straightforward poverty.

Stroke Order

穷 qióng

困 kùn

潦 liáo

倒 dǎo