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HSK 7-9
chuídrooptóuheadsànglosespirit
To be dejected; to be in low spirits; crestfallen.

Literal meaning

droop (垂) — head (头) — lose (丧) — spirit (气)

Origin

A classical four-character phrase describing a state of dejection.

Examples

Kǎoshì méi kǎo hǎo, tā chuítóu-sàngqì de huí jiā le.考试没考好,他垂头丧气地回家了。
He didn't do well on the exam, and he went home dejectedly.
Shībài hòu, bùyào chuítóu-sàngqì, yào jìxù nǔlì.失败后,不要垂头丧气,要继续努力。
Don't be dejected after failure, keep trying.

Usage & nuances

Describes a visible state of sadness or disappointment.

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