枯萎

枯萎 means 'to wither' or 'to wilt,' typically describing the process of something losing vitality, such as plants drying up or flowers losing their freshness. It often conveys a sense of decay or decline.

The character 枯 (kū) originally meant 'dry' or 'withered,' while 萎 (wěi) means 'to wilt' or 'to droop.' Together, they form a compound that emphasizes the physical and emotional state of withering, often used in natural or metaphorical contexts.

枯萎 is commonly used in descriptions of plant life, but it can also be applied metaphorically to emotions or situations, such as a person feeling down or a relationship losing its spark. In Chinese culture, the imagery of withering plants often symbolizes impermanence and the passage of time.