灰心喪氣（huī xīn sàng qì）

Pronunciation: huī xīn sàng qì

Basic Meaning: disheartened and discouraged

Detailed Explanation: "灰心喪氣" describes a state of being extremely disappointed, disheartened, and discouraged, often to the point of losing hope and enthusiasm. It is often used to express a feeling of despair or defeat in the face of adversity or setbacks.

Usage Scenarios: This idiom is commonly used in situations where someone feels discouraged or disheartened due to failures, difficulties, or setbacks in life, work, or study. It can also be used to describe a general sense of hopelessness or pessimism.

Story Origin: The origin of this idiom can be traced back to ancient China. In the book "Zhuangzi," there is a story about a man named Ai who lost his wife. He was so devastated by his loss that he lost all hope and became disheartened and discouraged. This story gave rise to the idiom "灰心喪氣," which is used to describe a similar state of mind.

Structure of the Idiom: This idiom is a combination of two characters: "灰" (huī), which means "ash" or "gray," and "心喪氣" (xīn sàng qì), which means "heartbroken and discouraged."

Example Sentences:

1. 他連續失敗了好幾次，感到灰心喪氣。

(Tā liánxù shībài le hǎojǐ cì, gǎndào huīxīnsàngqì.)

He has failed several times in a row and feels disheartened and discouraged.

2. 她因為得不到支持而感到灰心喪氣。

(Tā yīnwèi dé bù dào zhīchí ér gǎndào huīxīnsàngqì.)

She feels disheartened and discouraged because she did not receive any support.

Memory Techniques: To remember the meaning of "灰心喪氣," you can associate "灰" (gray) with the color of ashes, which symbolizes a sense of despair and hopelessness. The phrase "心喪氣" (heartbroken and discouraged) can be visualized as a broken heart with a heavy burden of discouragement. By creating vivid mental images, you can better remember the meaning of this idiom.

Extended Learning: To further understand the concept of "灰心喪氣," you can explore related idioms and expressions such as "失望" (shīwàng, disappointment), "泄氣" (xièqì, deflate), and "垂頭喪氣" (chuítóusàngqì, dejected). Additionally, reading stories or articles about people who have overcome adversity can provide inspiration and motivation in the face of challenges.

Example Sentences from Different Age Groups:

1. Children: 我考試沒考好，感到灰心喪氣。

(Wǒ kǎoshì méi kǎo hǎo, gǎndào huīxīnsàngqì.)

I didn't do well in the exam, and I feel disheartened and discouraged.

2. Teenagers: 我的夢想被否定了，讓我感到灰心喪氣。

(Wǒ de mèngxiǎng bèi fǒudìng le, ràng wǒ gǎndào huīxīnsàngqì.)

My dreams were rejected, which made me feel disheartened and discouraged.

3. Adults: 我的事業一直不順利，讓我感到灰心喪氣。

(Wǒ de shìyè yīzhí bù shùnlì, ràng wǒ gǎndào huīxīnsàngqì.)

My career has been going downhill, which makes me feel disheartened and discouraged.