「元気をなくすとは」meaning?

Question

Does anyone have insight into what 「元気をなくすとは」means? I am aware that 元気 is "energy" and なくす is "to lose". So "to lose energy" makes sense? However I am not altogether sure what とは means in this instance. A Japanese friend asked me for an English equivalent and I wasn't sure if this was colloquial somehow?

Thank you in advance!

I am aware. As I am asking a specific question, I didn't have time to give an extensive definition. Do you know what it means in this instance or were you just making a general observation? — quoth3raven, Feb 05 '19 at 22:12
`I am not altogether sure what とは means in this instance. ` ← What instance? You have not provided any context. 「とは」 can mean a couple of completely different things and only the context will tell what meaning it is used for. — , Feb 06 '19 at 11:27
@l'électeur - I am not sure of the context, but I will ask her. Thank you! — quoth3raven, Feb 06 '19 at 15:08

score 1 · Accepted Answer · edited Feb 08 '19 at 06:29

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“元気をなくす” means “lose energy”, “lose their health” or “being down”. You can use on physical matter and mental matter both.

Regarding meaning of “とは”:

It’s hard to say without seeing whole sentence but if that word is using like below it have implication that "you shouldn't". I think there are no words in english to replace it completely. I tried to find good example..

彼女に捨てられたくらいで元気をなくすとは情けない。
Don’t be so down just because she dumped you. How pathetic you are.

In this case, its meaning is similar to "～するなんて".

edited Feb 08 '19 at 06:29

Blavius

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answered Feb 08 '19 at 03:19

coeda

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To me, 'It's pathetic how down you are just because she dumped you.' seems more natural and in line with the original sentence. – BJCUAI Feb 08 '19 at 07:04
It could be. But I wanted to say, anyway there are no words to replace exactly. – coeda Feb 08 '19 at 10:22

「元気をなくすとは」meaning?

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