Meaning and Usage
"枯竭" (kūjié) literally means 'dried up and exhausted.' It is commonly used to describe resources, energy, or supplies that have been completely used up or depleted.
Common Contexts
This word often appears in environmental discussions (like water or mineral resources), personal energy or strength, and financial contexts where funds run out.
Collocations and Patterns
- "资源枯竭" (resource exhaustion): used when natural resources are depleted.
- "精力枯竭" (energy depletion): describes someone who is physically or mentally exhausted.
- "资金枯竭" (funds exhausted): refers to financial resources running out.
Usage Notes
"枯竭" is a formal term often found in written language or formal speech. It conveys a sense of complete depletion rather than partial shortage. Avoid confusing it with "缺乏" (lack), which implies insufficiency but not total exhaustion.