HSK · Level 22
135 words
Chinese word
低谷
Pronunciation
Pinyindī gǔ
Meaning
- nounlow point
Example
经过努力，他走出低谷了。jīng guò nǔ lì tā zǒu chū dī gǔ le
After much effort, he emerged from his low point.
More examples
疫情期间，公司业绩一度陷入低谷。yì qíng qī jiān gōng sī yè jì yí dù xiàn rù dī gǔ
During the pandemic, the company's performance temporarily fell into a slump.
Core concept
A low place that marks a temporary downturn in mood, progress, or results.
Common phrases
陷入低谷xiàn rù dī gǔ
fall into a slump
走出低谷zǒu chū dī gǔ
emerge from a slump
经济低谷jīng jì dī gǔ
economic trough
Similar words
低迷dī mí: A prolonged period of weak activity, progress, or results.
低潮dī cháo: A temporary slump in activity, performance, or results.
低落dī luò: A decline in a measured value, level, or social position.
谷底gú dǐ: The bottommost point of performance, progress, or momentum.
Definition in Chinese
指人在情绪、事业或成绩等方面在一段时间内处于低迷状态，也可指地形上的谷底。zhǐ rén zài qíng xù shì yè huò chéng jì děng fāng miàn zài yí duàn shí jiān nèi chǔ yú dī mí zhuàng tài yě kě zhǐ dì xíng shàng de gú dǐ
Word origin
低 (dī, "low") + 谷 (gǔ, "valley") creates a literal image of a valley bottom that extends to a temporary low phase in life or performance.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, a domain word often comes first, so mood, work, or results can specify what kind of downturn is meant.
Other meanings
- slumpnoun
Opposites
- 巅峰diān fēngpinnaclenoun
- 高峰gāo fēngpeaknoun
Related words
- 低谷期dī gǔ qīslump periodnoun