衰
decline, wane, weaken
Readings
On'yomi
- スイ
Kun'yomi
- おとろ.える
Meaning
衰 centers on a gradual loss of strength or vitality: declining, waning, or weakening over time.
Most common words using 衰
20 of 50- 衰退すいたいN1
decline; degeneration; decay; waning; ebbing
- 衰えおとろえ
weakening; emaciation; decline
- 衰弱すいじゃく
weakness; debility; breakdown; prostration
- 減衰げんすい
attenuation; damping; decay
- 衰えるおとろえるN2
to become weak; to decline; to wear; to abate; to decay; to wither; to waste away
- 老衰ろうすいN1
senility; senile decay; infirmity (through age)
- 盛衰せいすい
rise and fall; ups and downs; welfare; vicissitudes
- 栄枯盛衰えいこせいすい
ups and downs of life; vicissitudes of fortune
- 必衰ひっすい
inevitable decline (decay, collapse, etc.)
- 衰亡すいぼう
decline and fall; ruin; downfall; collapse
- 古び衰えるふるびおとろえる
to waste away
- やせ衰えるやせおとろえる
to become emaciated; to waste away; to grow thin and worn out
- エコー減衰器エコーげんすいき
echo suppressor
- 五衰ごすい
five signs of the impending death of a heavenly being
- 全身衰弱ぜんしんすいじゃく
general prostration
- 反射減衰量はんしゃげんすいりょう
return loss
- 弱り衰えるよわりおとろえる
to languish
- 消長盛衰しょうちょうせいすい
prosperity and decay; rise and fall; ebb and flow; vicissitudes (of fortune)
- 減衰ひずみげんすいひずみ
attenuation distortion
- 減衰係数げんすいけいすう
attenuation coefficient
Study
Etymology
衰 originally depicted a raincoat made of straw or grass, which weakens and declines with use. The modern form retains the 衣 (clothing) component, but the inner part has been simplified and its exact historical development is uncertain.
Meaning mnemonic
Picture a worn-out coat (衣) that is falling apart at the seams. The fraying fabric represents decline and weakening.
Reading mnemonic
For スイ, imagine a swimmer (スイマー) whose strength declines as they tire in the water: swimmer -> スイ, and their energy wanes.