Chinese word

吃亏

Pronunciation

Pinyinchī kuī

Meaning

  • verblose out

Example

别怕吃亏，你会学到东西。bié pà chī kuī nǐ huì xué dào dōng xī

Don't be afraid to lose out; you'll learn something.

Illustration for 吃亏 (lose out)

More examples

他甘心吃亏，只是为大家创造一个好氛围。tā gān xīn chī kuī zhǐ shì wèi dà jiā chuàng zào yí gè hǎo fēn wéi

He is willing to take a loss just to create a good atmosphere for everyone.

Core concept

A person comes away bearing the cost of a choice or situation while ending up worse off.

Common phrases

  • 甘心吃亏gān xīn chī kuī

    willingly accept a loss

  • 宁愿吃亏nìng yuàn chī kuī

    would rather take a loss

Similar words

受委屈shòu wěi qū: Feel upset and wronged after being treated unfairly.
受损shòu sǔn: Have property, resources, or other interests damaged or reduced.
受骗shòu piàn: Lose money or other benefits because of deception.
赔钱péi qián: Suffer a financial loss in a transaction or activity.

Definition in Chinese

因让步、判断失误或被误导而遭受损失或处于不利，通常指个人在具体情境中吃亏。yīn ràng bù pàn duàn shī wù huò bèi wù dǎo ér zāo shòu sǔn shī huò chǔ yú bú lì tōng cháng zhǐ gè rén zài jù tǐ qíng jìng zhōng chī kuī

Word origin

吃亏 (chīkuī, "suffer a loss") combines 吃 (chī, "eat") with 亏 (kuī, "loss"), using 吃 in its extended sense of undergoing or taking something on.

Usage tips

  • English speakers may expect a financial result, but this word also describes ending up worse off in an ordinary interaction or after trusting the wrong information.

Other meanings

  • be at a disadvantageverb
  • take a lossverb

Opposites

  • 占便宜zhàn pián yitake advantageverb

Word lists with this word