眼泪

• Pinyin: yǎn lèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 眼 = eye; 泪 = 氵 (water radical) + 目 (eye), a teardrop

Meaning

Tears. The fluid that flows from the eyes when crying or experiencing strong emotion.

Used in both literal and figurative contexts. Common expressions: 流眼泪 (to shed tears), 擦眼泪 (to wipe tears), 忍住眼泪 (to hold back tears), 眼泪汪汪 (eyes brimming with tears). In Chinese culture, shedding 眼泪 in public may be seen as a sign of deep emotion or sincerity.

Examples

1. 看到这部电影的结局，她忍不住流下了眼泪。 Seeing the ending of this film, she couldn't help shedding tears.
2. 孩子摔倒后，眼泪止不住地往下流。 After the child fell over, tears streamed down uncontrollably.
3. 离别时，她强忍着眼泪，努力保持微笑。 At parting, she fought back her tears and tried hard to keep smiling.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, emotional

Tone: emotional

Do Say

• 她感动得流下了眼泪。(She was so moved that tears streamed down her face.)
• 他拼命忍住眼泪，不想让别人看到他哭。(He held back his tears with all his might, not wanting others to see him cry.)

Don't Say

• 用'眼水'代替'眼泪' ('眼水' is not standard Mandarin for tears — use 眼泪; 眼水 is sometimes heard in Cantonese-influenced speech)

Origin & History

A compound of 眼 (eye) and 泪 (tear, from 氵 water + 目 eye). Literally water from the eye.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal