萧 xiāo mournful

源How it came to be

Grass over another character, one meaning careful work. It named a kind of mugwort used at funerals, and the lonely sound of wind in dry stalks came with it.

用How it is used

• 'Desolate, bleak' - chiefly in 萧条 (xiāotiáo), the standard word for economic depression/slump: 经济萧条 (jīngjì xiāotiáo) an economic downturn, or a 萧条 (deserted, cheerless) street.
• Also a common surname. The bleakness is atmospheric - cold, empty, lifeless.

字Characters built with 萧

• 潇 the sound of beating wind and rain

词Words with 萧

• 萧条xiāotiáobleakHSK 9