HSK · Level 103
45 words
Chinese word
凄凉
Pronunciation
Pinyinqī liáng
Meaning
- adjectivedesolate
Example
黄昏时分，街道显得很凄凉。huáng hūn shí fēn jiē dào xiǎn de hěn qī liáng
At dusk, the street looks desolate.
More examples
废弃的工厂周围，风吹过显得更加凄凉。fèi qì de gōng chǎng zhōu wéi fēng chuī guò xiǎn de gèng jiā qī liáng
The surroundings of the abandoned factory looked even more desolate as the wind blew through.
Core concept
An empty place or moment has a cold stillness that carries a feeling of sadness and loneliness.
Common phrases
景象凄凉jǐng xiàng qī liáng
desolate scenery
显得凄凉xiǎn de qī liáng
appear desolate
Similar words
荒凉huāng liáng: Describes a wide, neglected landscape that lacks people and signs of life.
冷清lěng qīng: Describes a quiet setting that lacks crowds, movement, and a lively feeling.
萧条xiāo tiáo: Describes a place or economy that has lost its activity and now feels lifeless.
Definition in Chinese
形容景象或气氛显得荒凉、寂寥，给人冷清和悲伤的感觉，常用于描写黄昏或空荡的街道。xíng róng jǐng xiàng huò qì fēn xiǎn de huāng liáng jì liáo gěi rén lěng qīng hé bēi shāng de gǎn jué cháng yòng yú miáo xiě huáng hūn huò kōng dàng de jiē dào
Word origin
凄凉 (qīliáng, "bleak and lonely") joins 凄 (qī, "sorrowful") and 凉 (liáng, "cool or cold"), blending a chilly impression with emotional desolation.
Usage tips
- In everyday Chinese, this word suits descriptions of streets, rooms, landscapes, or dusk more naturally than a person's ordinary mood, keeping the sentence focused on atmosphere.