哀毁骨立 — “To be emaciated and skeletal from intense grief”

哀毁骨立 is a Chinese idiom (chengyu) meaning “to be emaciated and skeletal from intense grief”. Typically after the loss of a parent or a deeply beloved person. Literally, “Sorrow-wasted, bones standing”.

Frequency

哀毁骨立 Pronunciation and Pinyin

哀毁骨立 Character Breakdown

Stroke Order

Character	Pinyin	Strokes	Meaning
哀	āi	9	to mourn or pity
毁	huǐ	13	destroy, damage, ruin
骨	gǔ	10	bone
立	lì	5	stand, establish, immediately

Example Sentence with 哀毁骨立

他自幼丧母，父亲终日哀毁骨立，几年下来身体垮得厉害。

He lost his mother in childhood, and his father, grieving day and night, became emaciated and skeletal, his health deteriorating severely over the years.

Origin and Story of 哀毁骨立

In ancient times, two renowned filial sons, Wang Rong and He Qiao, both suffered the loss of their parents around the same time.

He Qiao observed the traditional mourning rites for three years, yet his demeanor and health remained largely unaffected.

Wang Rong, on the other hand, set up a small shed by his parents' spirits, spending his days and nights in profound sorrow. He ate very little, and his body became extremely emaciated, reduced to mere bones due to his overwhelming grief. It took him a considerable amount of time to recover his health after the three-year mourning period.

Emperor Wu, upon hearing of their varying states, asked his attendant Liu Zhongxiong about them. Liu Zhongxiong explained, 'He Qiao fulfilled all the mourning rituals, but his spirit remained unharmed. Wang Rong, though he might not have strictly adhered to every ritual, became skeletal from grief and sorrow. I believe He Qiao demonstrated a 'living filial piety,' while Wang Rong displayed a 'dying filial piety.' Your Majesty should be more concerned for Wang Rong.'

This story illustrates the extreme physical toll that profound sorrow can take, leading to a state of being emaciated with grief.