Tear-jerker
Meaning: A movie, song, or story designed to make you cry — and it usually succeeds.
A tear-jerker is entertainment that pulls at your heartstrings so hard that tears are inevitable. It's not an insult — many beloved films and songs are proud tear-jerkers. Classic tear-jerkers include 'The Notebook,' 'Marley & Me,' and virtually any Pixar movie.
Examples
- Don't watch that movie without tissues — it's a total tear-jerker. 看那部电影一定要准备好纸巾——绝对是催泪弹。No veas esa película sin pañuelos — es un auténtico drama lacrimógeno.あの映画はティッシュなしで観ちゃダメ——完全にお涙頂戴ものだから。그 영화는 휴지 없이 보면 안 돼——완전 눈물샘 폭발이야.
- That song is such a tear-jerker, it gets me every time. 那首歌太催泪了,每次都让我哭。Esa canción es tan lacrimógena que me emociona cada vez.あの曲は本当に泣ける——毎回やられる。그 노래는 진짜 눈물나와, 들을 때마다 당해.
- I thought it would be a comedy but it turned into a tear-jerker. 我以为是喜剧,结果变成了催泪片。Pensé que sería una comedia, pero acabó siendo un drama lacrimógeno.コメディだと思ったのに、お涙頂戴ものになった。코미디인 줄 알았는데 눈물샘 자극 작품이 되어버렸어.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: movies, songs, recommendations, emotional content
Tone: emotional, warning
✓ Do Say
- It's a total tear-jerker.那绝对是催泪弹。Es un drama lacrimógeno total.あれは完全にお涙頂戴ものだ。완전 눈물샘 폭발이야.
- Warning: tear-jerker ahead.注意:前方催泪预警。Aviso: prepara los pañuelos.注意:泣ける作品だよ。주의: 눈물 주의보.
✗ Don't Say
- Don't use mockingly — enjoying a good cry at a movie is perfectly valid不要嘲笑别人——看电影大哭一场完全没什么不好的No lo uses de forma burlona — disfrutar de un buen llanto con una película es perfectamente válido馬鹿にして使わない——映画で思いっきり泣くのは全然おかしくない비꼬듯이 사용하지 않는다 — 영화를 보며 실컷 우는 것은 전혀 이상한 일이 아니다
Origin & History
American English from the 1910s-20s, originally describing sentimental plays and melodramas designed to provoke crying. The term has been used continuously for over a century.
Cultural Context
Era: 1910s-1920s onwards
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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