Chinese word

无精打采

Pronunciation

Pinyinwú jīng dǎ cǎi

Meaning

  • adjectivelistless

Example

她昨天因为感冒一直无精打采。tā zuó tiān yīn wèi gǎn mào yì zhí wú jīng dá cǎi

She was listless all day yesterday because she had a cold.

Illustration for 无精打采 (listless)

More examples

她今天显得有些无精打采，可能昨晚没睡好。tā jīn tiān xiǎn de yǒu xiē wú jīng dá cǎi kě néng zuó wǎn méi shuì hǎo

She seems somewhat listless today, perhaps because she did not sleep well last night.

Core concept

A person's usual energy and animation fade, leaving slow movement and a subdued expression.

Common phrases

  • 显得有些无精打采xiǎn de yǒu xiē wú jīng dá cǎi

    seem somewhat listless

  • 有点无精打采yóu diǎn wú jīng dá cǎi

    be a little listless

  • 看上去无精打采kàn shàng qù wú jīng dá cǎi

    look listless

Similar words

没精力méi jīng lì: Lacking the energy or will needed for active, vigorous action.
疲惫pí bèi: Feeling deeply worn out, with very little energy remaining.
闷闷不乐mèn mèn bú lè: Being quietly unhappy, with a mood that does not brighten.
萎靡wéi mǐ: Having low vitality and drive, with little eagerness to act.

Definition in Chinese

因疲劳、生病或情绪低落而精神不振、动作迟缓、表情暗淡的状态。yīn pí láo shēng bìng huò qíng xù dī luò ér jīng shén bú zhèn dòng zuò chí huǎn biǎo qíng àn dàn de zhuàng tài

Word origin

无精打采 (wújīngdǎcǎi, "without spirit or liveliness") combines 无精 (wújīng, "lacking spirit") with 打采 (dǎcǎi, "showing spirit"), linking low inner energy with a dull outward manner.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, it often describes a temporary state after illness, poor sleep, or disappointment rather than a person's lasting character.

Other meanings

  • sluggishadjective
  • apatheticnoun

Opposites

  • 精力充沛jīng lì chōng pèienergeticadjective
  • 生气勃勃shēng qì bó bólivelyadjective

Word lists with this word