愁眉不展 en 30 segundos
- 愁眉不展 is a four-character idiom (Chengyu) describing a visible state of worry or distress, literally meaning 'worried eyebrows not unfolding.'
- It is used to describe serious anxiety caused by significant life events like financial loss, health issues, or deep personal concerns.
- Grammatically, it functions as an adjective or adverb, often used with '的样子' or the particle '地' to describe actions.
- It is a common term in literature, news, and daily conversation to show empathy or describe a character's emotional state.
The Chinese idiom 愁眉不展 (chóu méi bù zhǎn) is a vivid four-character expression used to describe a person who looks deeply worried, anxious, or distressed. To understand this phrase, we must look at its literal architectural components in the Chinese language. The first character, 愁 (chóu), represents anxiety or sorrow, often depicted as a 'heart' under 'autumn'—symbolizing the heavy, falling feeling of worry. The second character, 眉 (méi), refers to the eyebrows. The third, 不 (bù), is a simple negation meaning 'not'. Finally, 展 (zhǎn) means to unfold, spread out, or smooth over. Therefore, the literal translation is 'worried eyebrows not unfolding.' In Chinese culture, the eyebrows are considered the 'palace of emotions'; when someone is troubled, their brows naturally knit together. If they are so distressed that they cannot 'unfold' or relax those brows, they are in a state of chóu méi bù zhǎn.
- Visual Imagery
- Imagine a person sitting by a window, their forehead creased with deep lines, their eyes downcast, and their eyebrows locked in a permanent scowl of concern. This is the quintessential image of the idiom.
- Emotional Depth
- This phrase is not used for minor inconveniences like losing a pen. It is reserved for significant life stresses: financial ruin, health crises, or deep romantic longing. It conveys a persistent state of unhappiness rather than a fleeting moment of sadness.
自从生意失败后，他整天愁眉不展，谁也劝不动。(Ever since his business failed, he has been looking miserable all day long, and no one can comfort him.)
In modern daily life, you might use this word when talking about a colleague who is stressed about a deadline, or a student who just received a poor grade on a pivotal exam. It is a highly descriptive term that paints a picture for the listener, allowing them to visualize the physical manifestation of the subject's internal turmoil. Because it is a Chengyu (a traditional four-character idiom), it carries a level of literary sophistication, making your Chinese sound more grounded and expressive. It is widely used in both written literature and formal spoken contexts, such as news reporting or storytelling.
看到她愁眉不展的样子，我知道一定出了大事。(Seeing her looking so distressed, I knew something big must have happened.)
- Historical Context
- The term has roots in classical Chinese literature, appearing in works like 'The Romance of the Western Chamber.' It reflects a long-standing cultural observation that the face is a mirror to the soul, and the eyebrows are the most expressive part of that mirror.
Using 愁眉不展 correctly requires understanding its grammatical flexibility as a Chengyu. In Chinese, idioms can function as predicates (the main verb/adjective of the sentence), adverbials (describing how an action is done), or even attributes (describing a noun). Unlike simple adjectives, Chengyu often stand alone or follow the subject directly with the help of 'is' (是) or simply through context.
- As a Predicate
- When used as a predicate, it describes the state of the subject. Example: '他最近愁眉不展' (He has been distressed lately). Notice you don't always need a linking verb like 'is' in Chinese for state-based idioms.
老王为了房贷的事情，整天愁眉不展。(Lao Wang has been looking miserable all day because of the mortgage.)
Another common way to use it is as an adverbial to describe how someone is doing something. In this case, you often add the particle 地 (de) after the idiom. For instance, '他愁眉不展地坐在那里' (He sat there with a knitted brow). This adds a layer of descriptive detail to the action, showing the person's internal state while they perform a task.
- As an Attribute
- You can use it to describe a person directly using the particle 的 (de). Example: '一个愁眉不展的老人' (A distressed old man). This is useful for narrative writing and character descriptions.
看到儿子愁眉不展的样子，母亲心里很难受。(Seeing her son's distressed look, the mother felt very sad.)
When constructing sentences, pay attention to the timeframe. If the distress is a result of a specific event, use words like '自从...以来' (since...) or '因为' (because). This provides the necessary context for why the person's brows are 'not unfolding.' It is also frequently paired with '整天' (all day) or '总是' (always) to indicate a prolonged state of worry.
While 愁眉不展 might seem like a literary term, it is surprisingly common in various modern settings. Understanding where it appears helps you gauge the right moment to use it yourself. It is a staple of Chinese storytelling, news reporting, and even casual conversation when discussing someone's welfare.
- In TV Dramas and Movies
- If you watch Chinese historical dramas (Wuxia or Xianxia), characters often use this to describe a king worried about his country or a lover pining for their partner. In modern family dramas, a parent might use it to describe their child who is struggling with school entrance exams.
电视剧里，男主角因为国家大事而愁眉不展。(In the TV drama, the male lead looks miserable due to important national affairs.)
In news broadcasting, journalists use this idiom to describe the plight of people facing economic hardship or natural disasters. For example, a report on a drought might describe farmers as 愁眉不展 as they look at their parched crops. It adds an empathetic, humanizing touch to the reporting, moving beyond just dry statistics to describe the visible emotional toll on the population.
- In Literature and Novels
- Authors love this word because it follows the 'show, don't tell' rule of writing. Instead of saying 'he was very worried,' writing 'he was 愁眉不展' immediately gives the reader a visual of his facial expression, making the scene more immersive.
小说中描写道：他独自坐在灯下，愁眉不展，思索着未来的出路。(The novel describes: He sat alone under the lamp, looking miserable, pondering the way forward.)
In daily life, friends use it to express concern for one another. If you walk into a room and see your friend looking down, you might ask, '你怎么愁眉不展的？出什么事了？' (Why do you look so miserable? What happened?). Using the idiom here shows that you've noticed their physical distress and are genuinely concerned about the depth of their worry.
Even though 愁眉不展 is a common idiom, learners often make specific errors in its application. Understanding these pitfalls will help you use the word like a native speaker and avoid awkward phrasing.
- Mistake 1: Misusing the Degree
- As mentioned before, learners often try to add '很' (hěn - very) or '非常' (fēicháng - extremely) before the idiom. In Chinese, most four-character idioms are self-contained and already imply a high intensity. Saying '他非常愁眉不展' sounds unnatural. Instead, use '整天' (all day) or '一直' (always) to emphasize the duration of the state.
错误 (Wrong): 他很愁眉不展。 正确 (Right): 他整天愁眉不展。
Mistake 2: Confusing it with 'Angry' expressions. Some learners see the 'knitted brow' part and think it means someone is angry. While an angry person might also knit their brows, chóu méi bù zhǎn specifically refers to worry, sadness, or distress. If someone is angry, you should use terms like '怒发冲冠' (furious) or '一脸怒气' (a face full of anger).
- Mistake 3: Incorrect Grammatical Placement
- Sometimes learners treat it like a simple verb that can take an object. You cannot say '他愁眉不展他的工作' (He is distressed his work). It must describe the person's state, usually after the subject or as part of a '的' or '地' phrase.
错误 (Wrong): 他愁眉不展考试。 正确 (Right): 面对考试，他愁眉不展。(Facing the exam, he looked miserable.)
Finally, don't use it for minor, temporary things. If someone is just thinking hard about a math problem, they might be 'concentrating' (聚精会神), not necessarily 'miserable' (愁眉不展). Reserve this idiom for situations where there is a clear emotional weight of sorrow or anxiety involved.
To truly master 愁眉不展, it helps to know its 'neighbors' in the Chinese vocabulary. There are several other idioms and words that describe worry or sadness, but each has a slightly different shade of meaning.
- 1. 忧心忡忡 (yōu xīn chōng chōng)
- This means 'heavily burdened with anxiety.' While 愁眉不展 focuses on the facial expression, 忧心忡忡 focuses on the internal feeling of the heart. You can be 忧心忡忡 without showing it on your face, but 愁眉不展 is always visible.
- 2. 闷闷不乐 (mèn mèn bù lè)
- This means 'depressed' or 'in low spirits.' It is broader and less intense than 愁眉不展. You might be 闷闷不乐 because it's raining, but you are 愁眉不展 because you lost your job.
对比 (Comparison):
他很闷闷不乐。(He is a bit down.)
他愁眉不展。(He looks deeply distressed/worried.)
If you want to describe someone who is extremely worried to the point of not eating or sleeping, you might use 寝食难安 (qǐn shí nán ān). If they are so worried they are sighing constantly, 唉声叹气 (āi shēng tàn qì) is a good choice. These alternatives allow you to be more specific about the physical symptoms of the person's worry.
- 3. 眉开眼笑 (méi kāi yǎn xiào)
- This is the direct antonym. It means 'brows unfolding and eyes laughing.' It describes someone who is beaming with joy. If 愁眉不展 is the 'before' of winning the lottery, 眉开眼笑 is the 'after.'
Choosing the right word depends on whether you want to emphasize the face, the heart, or the actions of the person. For visual descriptions of a person in deep distress, 愁眉不展 remains the most powerful and commonly used idiom in the Chinese language.
Guía de pronunciación
- Pronouncing 'chou' like 'chow' (dog breed). It should be 'ch-oh'.
- Pronouncing 'zhan' like 'zan'. It requires a 'j/zh' sound with the tongue slightly curled.
- Misplacing the tone on 'bu'. It's a sharp falling tone.
- Failing to sustain the 3rd tone on 'zhan', which should dip and rise.
- Treating the phrase as one word without clear syllable breaks.
Ejemplos por nivel
他今天愁眉不展。
He looks very worried today.
Subject + 愁眉不展
你为什么愁眉不展？
Why do you look so miserable?
Question word '为什么' used with the idiom.
他不开心，愁眉不展。
He is unhappy and looks distressed.
Using '不开心' to clarify the idiom.
看到老师愁眉不展，我很害怕。
Seeing the teacher looking worried, I am scared.
Seeing someone [idiom]
爸爸愁眉不展地走回家。
Dad walked home looking miserable.
Using '地' to describe the action of walking.
因为没考好，他愁眉不展。
Because he didn't do well on the exam, he looks worried.
Using '因为' to show cause.
别愁眉不展了，笑一笑！
Don't look so miserable, smile!
Using '别...了' to mean 'stop doing...'
那个愁眉不展的人是谁？
Who is that worried-looking person?
Using '的' to describe a person.
自从丢了钱包，他一直愁眉不展。
Since he lost his wallet, he has been looking miserable.
Using '自从...以来' or just '自从' for time.
面对困难，我们不能愁眉不展。
Facing difficulties, we shouldn't just look miserable.
Using '不能' for advice/requirement.
她愁眉不展的样子让人心疼。
Her distressed look makes people feel sorry for her.
The '的样子' structure is very common with idioms.
医生愁眉不展地走出了手术室。
The doctor walked out of the operating room looking worried.
Professional context.
他为了工作的事情整天愁眉不展。
He is looking miserable all day because of work.
Using '为了...的事情' to specify the cause.
小明愁眉不展，好像有心事。
Xiao Ming looks miserable, as if something is on his mind.
Using '好像' to make a guess.
看到大家都愁眉不展，他讲了一个笑话。
Seeing everyone looking miserable, he told a joke.
Contrast of mood.
别整天愁眉不展的，事情会解决的。
Don't look so miserable all day, things will be solved.
Encouragement.
他虽然没说话，但愁眉不展的神情出卖了他。
Although he didn't speak, his distressed expression betrayed him.
Using '神情' (expression) with the idiom.
这家公司的老板最近愁眉不展，可能要破产了。
The boss of this company has been looking miserable lately; they might be going bankrupt.
Business context.
他愁眉不展地盯着窗外，一句话也不说。
He stared out the window looking miserable, not saying a word.
Combining visual description with lack of action.
看到灾区的景象，救援人员都愁眉不展。
Seeing the scene in the disaster area, the rescuers all looked distressed.
Group emotion.
他愁眉不展地叹了口气，显得非常无奈。
He sighed with a knitted brow, looking very helpless.
Combining the idiom with '叹了口气' (sighed).
母亲为了孩子的病愁眉不展，已经好几天没睡好觉了。
The mother has been looking miserable due to her child's illness and hasn't slept well for days.
Deep emotional context.
他那副愁眉不展的样子，让聚会的气氛变得很沉重。
His miserable look made the atmosphere of the party very heavy.
Social impact of emotion.
由于经济不景气，很多失业者都愁眉不展。
Due to the economic downturn, many unemployed people look miserable.
Formal/Socio-economic context.
他整天愁眉不展，仿佛背负着巨大的压力。
He looks miserable all day, as if he is carrying a huge burden of pressure.
Using '仿佛' (as if) to expand the description.
面对这道难题，他愁眉不展地思考了很久。
Facing this difficult problem, he pondered for a long time with a knitted brow.
Intellectual struggle.
尽管他努力掩饰，但那双愁眉不展的眼睛还是露出了破绽。
Despite his efforts to hide it, those distressed eyes still gave him away.
Describing '眼睛' (eyes) with the idiom.
他愁眉不展地关掉了电脑，心里充满了挫败感。
He turned off the computer with a knitted brow, his heart filled with a sense of frustration.
Action followed by emotional consequence.
看到父亲愁眉不展，他意识到家里可能出事了。
Seeing his father looking miserable, he realized something might have happened at home.
Realization based on observation.
他愁眉不展地看着手中的账单，不知道该怎么办。
He looked at the bills in his hand with a knitted brow, not knowing what to do.
Specific object of worry.
那段日子他愁眉不展，整个人瘦了一大圈。
During that period, he looked miserable and lost a lot of weight.
Physical result of long-term worry.
他愁眉不展地走进办公室，大家都猜到项目出问题了。
He walked into the office looking miserable; everyone guessed there was a problem with the project.
Workplace inference.
他终日愁眉不展，似乎沉浸在往事的痛苦中无法自拔。
He is miserable all day long, seemingly immersed in the pain of the past, unable to extricate himself.
Using '终日' (all day/every day) for a literary feel.
在这部电影中，导演通过主角愁眉不展的特写来表现内心的挣扎。
In this movie, the director uses close-ups of the protagonist's knitted brows to express internal struggle.
Artistic/Cinematic analysis.
面对日益恶化的环境问题，专家们无不愁眉不展。
Facing the worsening environmental problems, experts are all looking distressed.
Double negation '无不' for emphasis.
他愁眉不展地坐在书房里，桌上堆满了未处理的信件。
He sat in the study looking miserable, the desk piled high with unprocessed letters.
Detailed setting description.
尽管窗外阳光明媚，他却依然愁眉不展，心事重重。
Despite the bright sunshine outside the window, he still looks miserable and heavy-hearted.
Contrast using '尽管...却依然'.
他那副愁眉不展的样子，让人联想到忧郁的诗人。
His miserable look reminds people of a melancholy poet.
Using '让人联想到' (reminds people of).
在这一片愁眉不展的叹息声中，他感到了前所未有的孤独。
Amidst these miserable sighs, he felt an unprecedented loneliness.
Using the idiom as an attribute for '叹息声' (sighs).
他愁眉不展地放下了电话，那个消息对他来说无疑是沉重的打击。
He hung up the phone with a knitted brow; that news was undoubtedly a heavy blow to him.
Consequence of news.
纵观史册，无数文人墨客在国家危难之际皆是愁眉不展，忧国忧民。
Throughout history, countless scholars and writers looked distressed in times of national crisis, worrying about the country and the people.
Historical/Literary register.
他那张终年愁眉不展的脸孔，仿佛刻满了岁月的沧桑与无奈。
That face, miserable all year round, seemed carved with the vicissitudes and helplessness of the years.
Highly metaphorical and descriptive.
在金融危机的阴影下，华尔街的交易员们无不愁眉不展，焦虑万分。
Under the shadow of the financial crisis, Wall Street traders were all looking distressed and extremely anxious.
Specific professional/historical context.
他愁眉不展地审视着这份契约，试图寻找一丝转机。
He examined the contract with a knitted brow, trying to find a glimmer of hope.
Precise action description.
那种愁眉不展的忧郁气质，已经成为了他性格中不可分割的一部分。
That miserable, melancholy temperament has become an inseparable part of his character.
Psychological characterization.
诗人笔下的秋天，往往伴随着愁眉不展的离人与萧瑟的寒风。
Autumn in the poet's pen is often accompanied by miserable departing lovers and bleak cold winds.
Literary analysis.
他愁眉不展地伫立在江边，任凭江风吹乱了他的头发。
He stood by the river looking miserable, letting the river wind mess up his hair.
Poetic imagery.
在这场关于生死的抉择面前，即便最坚强的人也会愁眉不展。
In the face of this choice between life and death, even the strongest person would look distressed.
Hypothetical/Philosophical context.
Colocaciones comunes
Frases Comunes
— A person who looks worried.
人群中有一个愁眉不展的人。
— Looking worried because of illness.
他因病愁眉不展，心情很差。
— Worrying about money issues.
很多年轻人都在为钱愁眉不展。
— Sighing while looking miserable.
他愁眉不展地叹气，显得很累。
— A worried facial expression.
他带着愁眉不展的神情离开了。
— Stop looking so worried.
别再愁眉不展了，事情总会有办法的。
— Observing someone looking worried.
看他愁眉不展，我心里也不好受。
— A facial expression of deep worry.
他脸上挂着愁眉不展的表情。
— Looking worried due to pressure.
他因为工作压力愁眉不展。
— Thinking deeply with a worried look.
他愁眉不展地思考着未来的计划。
Modismos y expresiones
— Similar to 愁眉不展, but emphasizes a 'bitter' or 'painful' face.
他愁眉苦脸地吃着药。
Common— The opposite; beaming with joy.
听了这个好消息，他立刻眉开眼笑。
Common— Anxiety like a burning fire; much more intense than 愁眉不展.
儿子还没回来，母亲忧心如焚。
Literary— Extremely anxious/impatient.
眼看要迟到了，他心急如焚。
Neutral— So worried you can't sit or stand still.
他为了考试结果坐立不安。
Common— Carefree; the complete absence of worry.
童年时代是无忧无虑的。
Common— Extreme joy turns to sorrow.
他刚赢了钱就丢了钱包，真是乐极生悲。
Literary— Mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
听到这个消息，他悲喜交加。
Literary— Living in fear or constant worry.
那些日子，他整天提心吊胆的。
Common— Deeply worried (internal focus).
专家对环境问题忧心忡忡。
FormalFamilia de palabras
Sustantivos
Summary
The key to using 愁眉不展 is recognizing it as a visual cue for deep worry. When someone's face 'tells' you they are troubled, this is the perfect idiom to use. For example: '看到他愁眉不展的样子，我知道他遇到了麻烦' (Seeing his distressed look, I knew he had encountered trouble).
- 愁眉不展 is a four-character idiom (Chengyu) describing a visible state of worry or distress, literally meaning 'worried eyebrows not unfolding.'
- It is used to describe serious anxiety caused by significant life events like financial loss, health issues, or deep personal concerns.
- Grammatically, it functions as an adjective or adverb, often used with '的样子' or the particle '地' to describe actions.
- It is a common term in literature, news, and daily conversation to show empathy or describe a character's emotional state.
Contenido relacionado
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de emotions
有点
A1Un poco; algo. Se usa antes de un adjetivo para expresar una sensación ligeramente negativa.
一点
A1Un poco; una pequeña cantidad de algo.
可恶
A2Detestable; odioso. Se usa para expresar un fuerte disgusto o indignación.
心不在焉
A2Estar distraído o preocupado; tener la cabeza en otra parte.
接受地
A2Escuchó las críticas con una actitud de aceptación.
成就感
B1La sensación de logro que se tiene al completar una tarea difícil.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1Desarrollar una dependencia a algo, a menudo en un grado poco saludable, lo que dificulta dejarlo.
沉迷
A2Está tan sumergido en los videojuegos que ha descuidado sus estudios.
敬佩
B1Admirar; respetar profundamente. Se usa para expresar gran estima por el carácter o las acciones de alguien.
