Meaning and Usage
The adjective 惨白 (cǎnbái) describes a very pale, often sickly or frightened complexion. It is commonly used to depict someone whose face lacks color due to illness, shock, fear, or extreme nervousness.
Common Collocations
- 脸色惨白 (liǎnsè cǎnbái): pale complexion, often used to describe someone looking unwell or scared.
- 惨白的脸 (cǎnbái de liǎn): a pale face.
Usage Notes
惨白 is stronger than just 白 (white) or 苍白 (pale). It often implies a negative condition such as illness or fear. It is typically used in formal or literary contexts but also appears in everyday speech when describing someone's appearance vividly.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 惨白 with 苍白 (cāngbái), which also means pale but can be more neutral or less intense. 惨白 carries a stronger emotional or physical distress nuance.
Summary
Use 惨白 when you want to emphasize a very pale, unhealthy, or frightened look, especially in contexts involving sickness, shock, or nervousness.