# 垂头丧气

chuí tóu sàng qì

Visibly dejected after a setback

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Lower the head and lose spirit

**Traditional Chinese:** 垂頭喪氣

**Register:** Standard · expressive

[Change & possibility](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/change)

## When to use it

Describe discouragement visible in mood or posture.

Usually temporary; it does not diagnose depression.

## Understanding the expression

A lowered head makes disappointment visible, while a loss of spirit suggests that confidence has drained away. The expression describes the mood after a defeat, rejection, or frustrating result. It can portray an individual or a whole team. Because it focuses on an observable state, it does not explain the full cause or duration of sadness. Someone who looks crestfallen may recover quickly once encouragement or a new opportunity appears.

## Examples

输球后，他垂头丧气地离场。

### Traditional Chinese

輸球后，他垂頭喪氣地離場。

shū qiú hòu ， tā chuí tóu sàng qì dì lí chǎng 。

After losing the match, he left looking dejected.

孩子垂头丧气，因为积木倒了。

### Traditional Chinese

孩子垂頭喪氣，因為積木倒了。

hái zi chuí tóu sàng qì ， yīn wèi jī mù dǎo le 。

The child looked crestfallen because the block tower collapsed.

面试失败，她垂头丧气了一整天。

### Traditional Chinese

面試失敗，她垂頭喪氣了一整天。

miàn shì shī bài ， tā chuí tóu sàng qì liǎo yì zhěng tiān 。

After the unsuccessful interview, she felt discouraged all day.

别垂头丧气，我们还能重试。

### Traditional Chinese

別垂頭喪氣，我們還能重試。

bié chuí tóu sàng qì ， wǒ men hái néng chóng shì 。

Do not lose heart; we can try again.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E5%9E%82%E9%A0%AD%E5%96%AA%E6%B0%A3)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=707&webMd=1&la=0)

## Keep exploring

- [蠢蠢欲动 chǔn chǔn yù dòng Show signs of restless movement or impending action ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chun-chun-yu-dong)

- [春风得意 chūn fēng dé yì Enjoy success with obvious delight ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chun-feng-de-yi)

- [春暖花开 chūn nuǎn huā kāi Warm spring weather with flowers coming into bloom ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chun-nuan-hua-kai)

- [东山再起 dōng shān zài qǐ Make a comeback after a setback ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/dong-shan-zai-qi)

## Keep this one close.

Save useful idioms, read offline, and revisit them with flashcards in Almanac.

[View on the App Store ](https://apps.apple.com/app/id6819590452)

[Previous idiom 吹毛求疵 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chui-mao-qiu-ci) [Next idiom 垂涎三尺 ](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/chui-xian-san-chi)