楚楚可怜 pitiful
Explanation
形容女子娇弱可爱的样子，也形容人或事物可怜的样子。
Describes the appearance of a weak and lovely woman, or the pitiful appearance of a person or thing.
Origin Story
晋朝时期，名士孙绰在田园间建造了一间小茅屋，屋前种了一棵小松树，每天精心浇灌，悉心照料。邻居高世远看到这棵弱不禁风的小松树，便嘲笑孙绰说："这棵小松树长得如此弱小，真是楚楚可怜啊！将来怎么能成为栋梁之材呢？"孙绰听后并不生气，反而笑着回答："枫树、柳树虽然长得粗壮高大，但是它们又能有什么用处呢？"高世远一时语塞，无言以对。孙绰的这番话，并非是自甘平庸，而是表达了他对人生价值的独特见解。他认为，人生的意义不在于外表上的强壮或富贵，而在于内在的精神追求和对社会的贡献。即使是一棵看似弱小的松树，只要它能够坚强地生长，也能展现出独特的生命力。
During the Jin Dynasty, the renowned scholar Sun Cho built a small thatched hut in the countryside. In front of the hut, he planted a small pine tree and meticulously watered it every day. Neighbor Gao Shiyuan saw this frail little pine tree and mocked Sun Cho, saying, "This little pine tree looks so weak and pitiful! How could it ever grow into a strong, useful tree?" Sun Cho didn't get angry but smiled and replied, "Maple and willow trees, though strong and tall, what good are they?" Gao Shiyuan was speechless. Sun Cho’s words weren't self-deprecation but reflected a unique perspective on life's value. He believed life’s meaning wasn’t in outward strength or wealth but in inner spiritual pursuit and contribution to society. Even a seemingly weak tree could show unique vitality through growth.
Usage
用于形容女子或其他事物柔弱可怜的样子。
Used to describe the appearance of a weak and pitiful woman or other object.
Examples
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她那楚楚可怜的模样，让人忍不住想要保护她。
tā nà chǔ chǔ kě lián de mú yàng, ràng rén rěn bù zhù xiǎng yào bǎo hù tā
Her pitiful appearance made people want to protect her.
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受伤的小鸟楚楚可怜地蜷缩在树枝上。
shòu shāng de xiǎo niǎo chǔ chǔ kě lián de quán suō zài shù zhī shàng
The injured bird huddled pitifully on the branch.