adjective / noun HSK 4
sad · sorrowful · grief · to grieve
Meaning
悲 expresses deep sadness, sorrow, or grief. It describes an emotional state of profound unhappiness, often related to loss, misfortune, or tragedy. The character combines 非 (not) with 心 (heart), suggesting a heart that is not at peace.
Usage
悲 is more formal and literary than colloquial words like 难过. It's commonly used in written Chinese, classical poetry, and formal speech. Often appears in compound words rather than alone in everyday conversation.
Examples
- 01听到这个消息，她感到非常悲伤。, .Upon hearing this news, she felt very sad.
- 02这是一个悲剧的结局。.This is a tragic ending.
Common collocations
- 悲喜交加mixed feelings of joy and sorrow
- 悲观pessimistic
- 慈悲compassion, mercy
- 可悲lamentable, sad
Antonyms
Origin
The character contains the heart radical 心 at the bottom, indicating emotion. The top component 非 originally meant 'not' or 'wrong,' suggesting a heart in distress or not at peace.