悲欢离合

• Pinyin: bēi huān lí hé
• Hanzi breakdown: 悲 = 非 + 心; 欢 = 又 + 欠; 离 = 离 (to leave); 合 = 人 + 一 + 口

Meaning

Joys and sorrows, partings and reunions. The vicissitudes of life.

A classical chengyu capturing the full range of human emotional experiences — happiness and sadness, separation and reunion. Often used to describe the dramatic ups and downs of life, relationships, or narratives.

Examples

1. 人生的悲欢离合，谁又能预料呢？ Life's joys and sorrows, partings and reunions — who can predict them?
2. 这部电影讲述了一个家族三代人的悲欢离合。 This film tells the story of three generations of a family and all their ups and downs.
3. 经历了这么多悲欢离合，她终于学会了坦然面对生活。 After experiencing so many twists and turns, she finally learned to face life with equanimity.

Usage Guide

Context: literature, life reflection, storytelling

Tone: philosophical

Do Say

• 人生悲欢离合，世事难料。(Life has its joys and sorrows — things are unpredictable.)
• 这个故事充满了悲欢离合。(This story is full of ups and downs.)

Don't Say

• 用'悲欢离合'形容日常小事 (Don't use 悲欢离合 for everyday trivialities — it suggests significant life experiences)

Origin & History

悲 (sorrow) + 欢 (joy) + 离 (separation) + 合 (reunion). Four characters encapsulating life's emotional spectrum. From Su Shi's poem '水调歌头.'

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal