Definition
This is a four-character idiom (成语) that literally means 'hunger and cold press together' — describing a state of extreme poverty where a person suffers from both hunger and cold at the same time. It's used to paint a vivid picture of destitution and hardship, often in literary or historical contexts. Unlike a simple adjective like 'poor', this phrase emphasizes the physical suffering caused by lack of food and warmth.
f.e.
suffering from hunger and coldpoverty-stricken
Examples
- ，饥寒交迫。Zài jiù shèhuì, xǔduō qióngrén guò zhe jī hán jiāo pò de shēnghuó.In the old society, many poor people lived a life of hunger and cold.
- 饥寒交迫，。Nàge nànmín jiātíng jī hán jiāo pò, jíxū jiùzhù.That refugee family is suffering from hunger and cold and urgently needs help.
- 饥寒交迫。Xiǎoshuō miáoxiě le nóngmín jī hán jiāo pò de bēicǎn chǔjìng.The novel depicts the miserable situation of peasants suffering from hunger and cold.
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