Definition
孱 (càn) is a bound form (b.f.) meaning 'thin and weak' or 'frail'. It almost always appears in the reduplicated form 孱孱 (càn càn), which is a literary adjective describing someone who is physically weak or emaciated. You'll rarely see it alone; it's mainly used in classical or formal writing, not everyday conversation.
b.f.
thin and weak (literary, usually reduplicated as 孱孱)
Examples
- 孱孱，。Tā bìng hòu shēntǐ càncàn, zǒulù dōu hěn chīlì.After his illness, his body was frail and walking was difficult.
- 孱孱。Lǎorén càncàn de shēnyǐng ràng rén xīnténg.The old man's frail figure made people's hearts ache.
- 孱孱，。Nà zhī xiǎo māo xiǎnde càn càn de, ràng rén xīnténg.That kitten looks frail and makes people feel sorry for it.
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