单薄

• Pinyin: dān bó
• Hanzi breakdown: 单 = 口 + 十 (single, thin); 薄 = 艹 + 溥 (meager, thin)

Meaning

Thin; frail; weak; lacking in substance or depth. Describes a person's physique, insufficient clothing, or content that lacks rigour.

A versatile adjective used to describe a thin or weak physique, insufficient clothing for cold weather, or content that lacks depth and substance. The last usage is particularly common in academic and editorial contexts.

Examples

1. 他身形单薄，经不起北方冬天的严寒。 He has a frail build and cannot withstand the severe cold of northern winters.
2. 这篇论文论据单薄，缺乏有力的实证支撑。 This paper's evidence is weak and lacks strong empirical support.
3. 穿着单薄的她在寒风中瑟瑟发抖。 Dressed too thinly, she shivered in the cold wind.

Usage Guide

Context: health, writing, clothing, criticism

Tone: neutral

Do Say

• 这部小说的人物塑造过于单薄，缺乏立体感。(The character portrayal in this novel is too thin and lacks depth.)
• 他体格单薄，需要加强营养和锻炼。(He has a weak constitution and needs better nutrition and exercise.)

Don't Say

• 这道菜味道单薄 — for bland flavour, use 清淡 or 寡淡; 单薄 does not describe taste

Origin & History

单 (single, thin) + 薄 (thin, meager)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal