可怜
kělián
The English word 'pathetic' can be translated into Chinese as 可怜 (kělián).
The word 可怜 can function as both an adjective meaning 'pitiful' and a verb meaning 'to take pity on' or 'to feel sorry for'.
Meaning: arousing scorn or contempt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 'pathetic' in English often carries a strong sense of contempt or scorn, the Chinese word 可怜 is more frequently used to express genuine pity or sympathy for someone's unfortunate circumstances. To describe someone or something that looks particularly pathetic or evokes a strong sense of pity through their appearance or expression, use the reduplicated form 可怜巴巴.
How do you pronounce it?
kělián
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers intending to use 'pathetic' as a harsh insult to express contempt (for example, 'You are pathetic!') may find that using 可怜 sounds too sympathetic. In such cases, a word like 差劲 (chàjìn) or 可笑 (kěxiào) might better convey the intended scorn.
Did you know?
- The character 可 (kě) in 可怜 literally means 'can' or 'able to'. This makes the word structurally mean 'able to be pitied'.
- A person might be described as 可怜 even if they are wealthy, provided they are lonely or heartbroken, focusing on the emotional state over material poverty.
- Because 可怜 is so closely tied to genuine sympathy, using it sarcastically to mean 'pathetic' can be very confusing to listeners. They might think you are actually expressing sincere concern for the person you are mocking.
Examples in context
- 他的境地真是可悲啊。His situation is really pathetic.
- 这个故事真是悲惨啊。This story is really pathetic.
- 他真是可怜。He is so pathetic.
- 这个人真渣。This person is really pathetic.
Example conversation
Zihan and Zhiqiang are discussing a lazy coworker.
- 梓涵 Zihan志强，他竟然在开会时睡觉。Zhìqiáng, tā jìngrán zài kāihuì shí shuìjiào.Zhiqiang, he actually slept during the meeting.
- 志强 Zhiqiang他真是太可怜了，一点不专业。Tā zhēnshì tài kělián le, yìdiǎn bù zhuānyè.He is so pathetic, not professional at all.
- 梓涵 Zihan老板肯定已经发现了。Lǎobǎn kěndìng yǐjīng fāxiàn le.The boss must have noticed already.
- 志强 Zhiqiang他很快就会被开除的。Tā hěn kuài jiù huì bèi kāichú de.He will be fired very soon.
