adjective HSK 5
lonely · quiet · still · silent
Meaning
寂 describes a profound quietness or loneliness, often with emotional overtones. It conveys a sense of desolation, silence, or solitude that goes beyond mere lack of noise. This character is commonly seen in compound words rather than used alone in modern Chinese.
Usage
寂 is rarely used independently in everyday speech. It appears most often in literary contexts or fixed expressions like 寂寞 (jìmò, lonely), 寂静 (jìjìng, silent), and 沉寂 (chénjì, dead silent). In classical poetry and formal writing, it evokes a contemplative, sometimes melancholic atmosphere.
Examples
- 01深夜的街道万籁俱寂。.The streets are completely silent in the deep of night.
- 02他独自一人在寂静的山林中冥想。.He meditated alone in the silent mountain forest.
Common collocations
- 寂寞难耐unbearably lonely
- 万籁俱寂all is quiet (literary)
- 清寂quiet and desolate
Antonyms
Origin
The character 寂 consists of the roof radical 宀 (mián, shelter) above 叔 (shū), suggesting emptiness or stillness within a dwelling. Originally it depicted the quietness of an empty house.