Meaning
忧愁 describes a state of being both worried and sorrowful, combining anxiety about the future with sadness about present circumstances. It conveys a heavier, more literary feeling than simple sadness, often implying deep concern mixed with melancholy. This word frequently appears in classical poetry and formal writing to describe profound emotional distress.
Usage
忧愁 is more literary and formal than everyday expressions like 难过 or 伤心. It's commonly used in written Chinese, poetry, and songs to describe a contemplative, lingering sadness rather than acute grief. Native speakers might use it when describing someone who appears burdened by both worry and sorrow, often with a thoughtful or pensive quality.
Examples
- 01他最近满脸忧愁，不知道遇到了什么困难。, .His face has been full of worry and sadness lately; I don't know what difficulties he's encountered.
- 02诗人用优美的语言表达了内心的忧愁。.The poet expressed his inner melancholy with beautiful language.
Characters
Common collocations
- 满脸忧愁face full of worry and sadness
- 忧愁的表情worried and sad expression
- 充满忧愁filled with melancholy
Antonyms
Origin
Both characters contain the heart radical (心), emphasizing emotional states. 忧 originally depicted a person in a worried state, while 愁 combines autumn (秋) with heart (心), traditionally associated with melancholy in Chinese culture.