憔悴 qiáocuì wan and sallow
wan and sallow; thin and pallid; haggard; (of plants) withered
How to remember 憔悴: 憔 worn-out + 悴 to suffer = wan and sallow.
Characters
How it is used
- Wan, haggard, worn-out looking - from stress, illness, or grief: 她瘦得憔悴 (tā shòu de qiáocuì) she's grown thin and haggard.
- Describes a drained, sallow appearance, often after prolonged worry or hardship; more literary than 累 (lèi, tired).
- Can also describe withered plants. Register is written/expressive.