Chinese Character: 衰 (Shuāi, Cuī - Decline, Wither)
1. 基本特征 (Character Basics)
部首: 衣 (radical: 衣)
笔画数: 10 (10 strokes)
结构分解: 会意字，从衣，从冄（rǎn）。原指蓑衣，后引申为衰落、衰弱等义。(A compound ideogram, composed of "衣" and "冄（rǎn）". Originally referred to a straw raincoat, later extended to mean decline, weaken, etc.)
笔顺:
2. 发音 (Pronunciation)
拼音: Shuāi（表示衰落、衰弱）, Cuī（古代用作“缞”，指丧服）(Shuāi (means decline, weaken), Cuī (in ancient times, used as "缞", referring to mourning clothes))
3. 含义 (Meaning)
“衰”有两种读音和含义：
1. Shuāi，指事物由兴盛转向没落，如“衰老”“衰退”；也可表示身体机能的减弱，如“衰弱”。
2. Cuī，古代指丧服，如“衰绖”。(“衰” has two pronunciations and meanings:
1. Shuāi, refers to a thing changing from prosperity to decline, such as "衰老" (aging), "衰退" (decline); it can also mean the weakening of physical functions, such as "衰弱" (weak).
2. Cuī, in ancient times, referred to mourning clothes, such as "衰绖".)
4. 常用词汇 (Common Words)
- 衰老 (shuāi lǎo) - grow old; aging
- 衰退 (shuāi tuì) - decline; recession
- 兴衰 (xīng shuāi) - rise and fall
- 衰微 (shuāi wēi) - decline; wane
5. 语法与用法 (Grammar & Usage)
“衰”常作形容词，可修饰名词（如“衰亡的王朝”）；也可作动词，表示逐渐减弱（如“国力衰微”）。(“衰” is often used as an adjective and can modify nouns (e.g., "衰亡的王朝" (a dying dynasty)); it can also be used as a verb, meaning to gradually weaken (e.g., "国力衰微" (the national power is declining)).)
6. 文化背景 (Cultural Background)
在中国传统文化中，兴衰更替是一种常见的观念，体现了事物发展的周期性。古人常以自然现象（如四季更迭）来比喻人生和社会的兴衰。同时，“衰”在古代礼仪中也有特定含义，与丧服制度相关。(In traditional Chinese culture, the cycle of rise and fall is a common concept, reflecting the periodicity of the development of things. The ancients often used natural phenomena (such as the change of seasons) to metaphorize the rise and fall of life and society. At the same time, "衰" also had a specific meaning in ancient rituals, related to the mourning - dress system.)
7. 例句 (Example Sentence)
随着年龄的增长，他的身体逐渐衰老。(Suí zhe nián líng de zēng zhǎng, tā de shēn tǐ zhú jiàn shuāi lǎo.)
As he grows older, his body is gradually aging.
这个行业近年来呈现出衰退的趋势。(Zhè gè háng yè jìn nián lái chéng xiàn chū shuāi tuì de qū shì.)
This industry has shown a trend of decline in recent years.
8. 记忆技巧 (Memory Tips)
可以联想“衰”字的部首“衣”，最初与蓑衣相关，而蓑衣在使用过程中会逐渐破旧，象征着衰落。通过常见词汇如“衰老”“衰退”来加深对“衰”的理解和记忆。(You can associate the radical "衣" in the character "衰" with a straw raincoat. A straw raincoat will gradually wear out during use, symbolizing decline. Deepen your understanding and memory of "衰" through common words such as "衰老" and "衰退".)