èyùn: 厄运 - Misfortune, Bad Luck

• Keywords: èyùn, 厄运, what does eyun mean, Chinese for misfortune, bad luck in Chinese, doom in Chinese, Chinese concept of fate, adversity in Chinese, unlucky in Chinese, destiny vs luck.
• Summary: Learn the meaning of 厄运 (èyùn), a powerful Chinese term for misfortune, bad luck, or doom. This page explores its cultural significance related to fate (命运), how it differs from the everyday term for “unlucky” (倒霉), and how to use it correctly in sentences. Discover the deep-seated feeling of adversity and destiny captured by 厄运.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): èyùn (è, 4th tone; yùn, 4th tone)
• Part of Speech: Noun
• HSK Level: N/A (Advanced, but common in literature and formal contexts)
• Concise Definition: A severe and often unavoidable misfortune, doom, or a string of bad luck.
• In a Nutshell: 厄运 (èyùn) is not your everyday bad luck. It's not about spilling your coffee or missing the bus. Think of it as a heavy, serious misfortune that feels almost fated or destined. It carries a sense of a prolonged period of hardship or a significant, life-altering negative event. It's the kind of “bad luck” that stories and epic tragedies are written about.

• 厄 (è): This character's ancient form depicts a person in a difficult situation or a constricted place. It represents distress, adversity, calamity, or being trapped.
• 运 (yùn): This character relates to luck, fortune, and fate, as seen in words like 运气 (yùnqì - luck) and 命运 (mìngyùn - destiny).

By combining 厄 (adversity) and 运 (fortune/destiny), the word 厄运 (èyùn) literally translates to “adverse fortune” or “calamitous destiny.” It powerfully conveys the idea that this isn't just a random event, but a misfortune deeply tied to one's path or fate.

In Chinese culture, fortune and destiny are not always seen as random. The concept of 命运 (mìngyùn - destiny) plays a significant role, suggesting that life has a certain pre-ordained path, though one's actions can still influence it. 厄运 (èyùn) fits into this worldview as a period of fated hardship. It's a trial one must endure, a test of character and resilience. A useful comparison is to the Western idea of “doom” versus “bad luck.”

• Bad Luck: In English, “bad luck” can be trivial. “I had bad luck and got a flat tire.” This would be expressed in Chinese as 倒霉 (dǎoméi).
• Doom / Misfortune (厄运): 厄运 (èyùn) is more akin to the “doom” of a Greek tragedy or the profound “misfortune” a character in a classic novel might face—a series of devastating events that shape their entire life. For example, a family business failing after generations, a promising career cut short by a sudden illness, or a nation falling into war.

Enduring 厄运 (èyùn) with stoicism and perseverance is a highly respected trait, reflecting the cultural value of 坚韧 (jiānrèn - fortitude, tenacity).

厄运 (èyùn) is a formal and somewhat literary term. You are more likely to encounter it in books, news headlines, historical accounts, or serious discussions than in everyday casual conversation.

• Formality: High. Using it for a minor inconvenience would sound overly dramatic.
• Connotation: Strongly negative.
• Common Contexts:
  • Literature/Storytelling: Describing the tragic fate of a character.
  • Formal News: Reporting on a community or company facing a series of disasters or severe economic hardship.
  • Personal Reflection: Used when someone is describing a truly difficult and prolonged period of their life in a serious manner.

• Example 1:
  • 他似乎无法摆脱家族的厄运。
  • Pinyin: Tā sìhū wúfǎ bǎituō jiāzú de èyùn.