悲伤

• Pinyin: bēi shāng
• Hanzi breakdown: 悲 = 非 (not) + 心 (heart); 伤 = 亻(person) + 伤 simplified, meaning wound

Meaning

Sad; sorrowful; grieving. A feeling of deep unhappiness or grief.

More literary and formal than 难过. Used for profound sadness, often associated with loss or tragic events. Appears frequently in literature, songs, and formal expressions of sympathy.

Examples

1. 听到这个噩耗，她悲伤得说不出话来。 Upon hearing the terrible news, she was so grief-stricken she couldn't speak.
2. 悲伤的时候，听听音乐可能会让你感觉好一点。 When you're sad, listening to some music might make you feel a little better.
3. 他试图用笑容掩盖内心深处的悲伤。 He tried to hide the deep sorrow in his heart with a smile.

Usage Guide

Context: emotions, literature, sympathy

Tone: emotional

Do Say

• 我能理解你的悲伤。(I can understand your sorrow.)
• 不要太悲伤了。(Don't be too sad.)

Don't Say

• 对小事说'我很悲伤'——用'难过'或'伤心'更自然 (Don't say 悲伤 for minor disappointments — use 难过 or 伤心 for everyday sadness)

Origin & History

Compound of 悲 (sad) + 伤 (hurt/wound), combining sadness with emotional pain.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal