Definition
忽忽 is a formal, literary adverb (r.f. = reduplicated form) that carries two distinct meanings. In classical or elevated writing it can mean 'swiftly / fleetingly' to describe the fast passage of time. In psychological or emotional contexts it means 'restless / ill at ease', describing a state of agitation or distraction. The second sense often appears in set phrases like 忽忽不乐 ('uneasy and unhappy'). Modern conversational Chinese rarely uses this word — it is primarily literary.
r.f.
(literary) swiftlyfleetingly(literary) restlessagitatedill at ease
Examples
- 忽忽,。Shíguāng hū hū, zhuǎnyǎn yòu shì yì nián.Time flies — in the blink of an eye another year has passed.
- 忽忽,。Tā zuìjìn xīnqíng hū hū, zǒng shì zuò lì bù ān.He's been restless lately, always fidgeting.
- ,忽忽,。Lí jiā zhī hòu, tā hū hū bú lè, zhōngrì chénmò.After leaving home, he was downcast and silent all day.
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