伤心
Traditional: 傷心
shāng xīn HSK 4

English Meaning

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📚 Example Sentences

她因为考试伤心。
Tā yīnwèi kǎoshì shāngxīn.
She is sad because of the exam.
这个故事让人伤心。
Zhège gùshì ràng rén shāngxīn.
This story makes people sad.
别伤心,一切会好的。
Bié shāngxīn, yīqiè huì hǎo de.
Don't be sad, everything will be fine.
她伤心了。
Tā shāngxīn le.
She is sad.
我很伤心。
Wǒ hěn shāngxīn.
I am very sad.

💡 Memory Tip

Think of 伤心 as 'heart injured'—imagine a heart with a small bandage to remember it means feeling sad or hurt emotionally. The characters 伤 (injure) and 心 (heart) directly combine to form this meaning.

📝 Usage Notes

This word is common in both spoken and written Chinese, suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts. It is often used to express personal emotions in situations like misunderstandings, breakups, or losses. While not highly formal, it appears in literature and everyday conversation to convey genuine sorrow.

📖 Grammar Points

伤心 can function as a predicate (e.g., 我很伤心), an adverbial with 地 (e.g., 她伤心地离开了), or an attributive with 的 (e.g., 伤心的故事). It is often modified by degree adverbs like 很, 非常, or 十分 to express intensity.

🏯 Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, expressing 伤心 is acceptable, but it may be tempered with restraint in formal settings, reflecting values of emotional moderation. The concept ties into traditional ideas of the heart (心) as the center of emotions, making it a relatable term for emotional distress.

🔄 Similar Words

Compared to 难过 (nánguò, which also means 'sad' but can be milder and more temporary), 伤心 emphasizes deeper, heart-felt sorrow. 悲伤 (bēishāng) is more literary and intense, often used for profound grief, while 伤心 is more personal and common in daily use.

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