📖 Meaning
To sigh in grief or frustration; to express sorrow or dejection through continuous sighing. It describes someone who is disheartened, depressed, or unable to find a solution to their troubles.
📜 Origin Story
This idiom originates from Ming Dynasty author Ling Mengchu's collection 'Er Ke Pai An Jing Qi' (Slapping the Table in Amazement, Second Collection), Volume 38, which describes a character wandering through the day absent-mindedly, sighing in sorrow. The phrase combines '哀声' (sorrowful sounds) with '叹气' (sighing) to depict deep despondency. It became a common expression in vernacular literature of the Ming and Qing dynasties for portraying a person overwhelmed by sadness or helplessness.
💡 Example Usage
他丢了工作后，整天在家里哀声叹气。
After losing his job, he spent his days at home sighing in despair.
🏷️ Category
➕ Similar Idioms
➖ Opposite Idioms
🔤 Quick Facts
- Chinese: 哀声叹气
- Pinyin: āi shēng tàn qì
- Literal Translation: sorrowful, sound, sigh, air
- Category: Emotion
- Characters: 4