哭笑不得

• 拼音: kū xiào bù dé
• 汉字拆解: 哭 = cry; 笑 = 竹 (bamboo) + 夭 (young) — laugh; 不得 = cannot

含义

Not knowing whether to laugh or cry; caught between laughter and tears. Describes a situation so absurd one doesn't know how to react.

Used when facing situations that are simultaneously funny and frustrating, or when someone's behavior is so ridiculous that you can't decide whether to be amused or annoyed. Common in everyday speech to express exasperation.

例句

1. 看到儿子用口红在墙上画画，她哭笑不得。
2. 他的解释让我哭笑不得，完全是强词夺理。
3. 这个乌龙事件让在场所有人都哭笑不得。

用法指南

语境: daily life, anecdotes, complaints

语气: exasperated

正确说法

• 他的回答让我哭笑不得。(His answer left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry.)
• 这种事真是让人哭笑不得。(This kind of thing really leaves you at a loss.)

错误说法

• 用哭笑不得形容单纯的悲伤或快乐情况。(Don't use this for purely sad or happy situations — it requires the awkward duality)

起源与历史

Classical expression: 哭 (cry) + 笑 (laugh) + 不得 (cannot). Literally 'can neither cry nor laugh.'

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal