Meaning and Usage
"苍白" (cāng bái) primarily describes a pale or whitish complexion, often indicating illness, weakness, or fear. It is commonly used to describe someone's face or skin tone when lacking color or vitality.
Common Contexts
This word is frequently used in medical or emotional contexts, such as when someone looks sick, tired, or nervous. It can also describe a general lack of color in objects but is most natural when referring to people.
Collocations and Patterns
- 脸色苍白 (liǎnsè cāngbái): pale complexion, used to describe someone's face
- 苍白无力 (cāngbái wúlì): pale and weak, emphasizing lack of strength
- 苍白的手 (cāngbái de shǒu): pale hands, often due to cold or illness
Nuances
Using "苍白" implies a noticeable lack of healthy color, often signaling physical or emotional distress. It is more formal and literary than simply saying "白" (white). Avoid confusing it with "白" which can mean white in color but lacks the connotation of weakness or sickness.
Tone and Register
"苍白" is neutral to slightly formal and is appropriate in both spoken and written Chinese, especially in descriptive or narrative contexts.