have a pale, anemic complexion

have a pale, anemic complexion

It's a Chinese idiom. Pinyin is mi à NY à UC à is è, which means to look malnourished because of hunger. It comes from the book of rites, the king system.

Idiom explanation

Dish color: hungry face.

The origin of Idioms

"The book of rites · king system" says: "although there is a fierce drought, the people have no dishes."

Analysis of Idioms

[synonym]: hungry face [antonym]: red face

Idiom usage

It refers to the appearance of malnutrition. Xunzi · Fuguo: "therefore, ten years of Yu had water, seven years of Tang had drought, and there were no dishes in the world." A full meal and two hungry meals make everyone look good. My life by Feng Yuxiang chapter 35