泄气 xièqì to leak (gas)
to leak (gas); to be discouraged; to despair; (disparaging) pathetic; to vent one's anger; (of a tire) to be flat
How to remember 泄气: 泄 drip + 气 air = to leak (gas).
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How it is used
- Literally to let air out - 轮胎泄气了 (lúntāi xièqì le) the tire went flat.
- Very common figuratively as 'to lose heart / get discouraged' - 别泄气 (bié xièqì) don't give up.
- Also 'pathetic/disappointing' colloquially: 真泄气 (zhēn xièqì) how deflating; context tells you which sense.