Common Meanings
1
jiǎn蹇
lame; hobble; having difficulty walking
他因旧伤，行走时略显蹇步
Due to an old injury, he walked with a slight hobble.
Dull, slow, or unfortunate; indicating difficulty, stagnation, or bad luck.
他最近诸事不顺，真是时乖命蹇
He's been unlucky with everything lately; it's truly a period of unfortunate circumstances.
Haughty; arrogant; disdainful.
他的态度向来有些蹇傲，不易与人亲近
His attitude has always been a bit haughty, making it difficult to get close to people.
poor; in straitened circumstances; difficult
在经济蹇滞时期，很多企业都面临挑战。
During times of economic hardship, many businesses face challenges.
An old, weak horse; also refers to a donkey.
即使是蹇驴，也能驮动重物。
Even a weak donkey can carry heavy loads.
In classical Chinese, '蹇' is an auxiliary particle used to introduce a rhetorical question, express doubt, or convey a sense of 'how' or 'why' in an exclamatory or lamenting manner, often implying a futile or regrettable situation.
蹇何求于世，徒增烦忧？
What is there to seek in the world, if it only increases one's troubles in vain?