瘦 shòu thin
thin; lean; tight
How to remember 瘦: 疒 illness + 叟 old man = thin. After a long winter illness, the old man steps on the scale, pats his belly and laughs "Finally I am thin!"
Component breakdown
瘦 = 疒 illness + 叟 old man
- 疒 illness
- 叟 old man
After a long winter illness, the old man steps on the scale, pats his belly and laughs "Finally I am thin!"
How it is used
- Sickness radical 疒 - 'thin' of people/animals: 他很瘦 (tā hěn shòu) he's skinny. For people, 瘦 vs 胖 (pàng, fat) is the standard pair.
- Also 'lean' meat: 瘦肉 (shòuròu) lean meat, opposite 肥肉 (féiròu) fatty meat.
- Second sense 'tight' (of clothes): 这条裤子太瘦 (zhè tiáo kùzi tài shòu) these trousers are too tight - a common surprise for learners.
- Don't use 瘦 for a thin sheet/thread; that's 薄 (báo) or 细 (xì).
Example sentences
- 你太瘦了，该多吃点。 Nǐ tài shòu le, gāi duō chī diǎnr.You need to eat more, you're too slim.