Pale and wan are both used to describe someone who looks less healthy than usual, but there's a subtle difference between them. Pale usually describes a lack of color, often due to illness, fear, or cold. Wan, on the other hand, suggests a sickly, weak, and often pallid complexion. Think of 'wan' as a more extreme and negative version of 'pale'. It implies a more drawn, gaunt look.

Here are some example sentences to help illustrate the difference:

• Pale: "After the marathon, she looked pale and exhausted." (After running a long race, she had no color in her face and felt very tired.)
• Pale: "He went pale when he heard the bad news." (His face lost color suddenly because he was shocked and frightened.)
• Wan: "He looked wan and weak after his long illness." (He had a sickly and very pale complexion and didn't have much strength.)
• Wan: "Her face was wan and drawn, a testament to sleepless nights." (Her face showed signs of being extremely pale and thin because she hadn't slept well.)

Notice how 'wan' often implies something more serious or long-lasting than 'pale'. 'Pale' can be temporary; 'wan' often suggests a more concerning underlying condition. While both words describe a lack of color, 'wan' adds a layer of illness or weakness to the description.

Happy learning!