Chinese word

黯然

Pronunciation

Pinyinàn rán

Meaning

  • adverbsadly

Example

听到坏消息，她黯然离开了。tīng dào huài xiāo xī tā àn rán lí kāi le

After hearing the bad news, she left sadly.

Illustration for 黯然 (sadly)

More examples

比赛失利后，他黯然低下头。bǐ sài shī lì hòu tā àn rán dī xià tou

After losing the match, he lowered his head dejectedly.

Core concept

A person's inner light seems to fade, leaving a quiet, downcast manner after loss or disappointment.

Similar words

难过地nán guò dì: Sadly, with an unhappy and troubled feeling.
伤心地shāng xīn dì: Sorrowfully, with a painful feeling of sadness.
失落地shī luò dì: Dejectedly, after hopes or expectations have been lost.

Definition in Chinese

因失望或悲伤而情绪低落、神情消沉地yīn shī wàng huò bēi shāng ér qíng xù dī luò shén qíng xiāo chén dì

Word origin

黯 (àn, "dark") + 然 (rán, "in that state") forms 黯然 (ànrán, "dark and subdued"), extending physical darkness to a person's lowered spirits.

Usage tips

  • In everyday conversation, this adverb has a literary, written feel, while ordinary speech usually uses a more direct expression for feeling low.

Other meanings

  • dejectedlyadverb
  • sorrowfullyadverb

Word lists with this word