When something is so strange or difficult that you don't know how to react, you can say 哭笑不得 (kū xiào bù dé). It means you are exasperated and don't know whether to laugh or cry. Imagine someone tells you a really unbelievable story; you might feel 哭笑不得. It's a common way to express a feeling of helplessness or amusement mixed with frustration. So, next time you encounter a bizarre situation, remember 哭笑不得!
When something is so strange or unexpected that you don't know how to react, you can use 哭笑不得 (kū xiào bù dé). This phrase literally means 'unable to cry or laugh'.
It describes a feeling of being exasperated, or finding a situation both funny and frustrating at the same time.
Imagine someone tells you a ridiculous excuse for being late; you might find yourself 哭笑不得.
It's a great way to express that a situation is awkward, amusing, and annoying all at once.
When something is so unexpected, unbelievable, or ridiculous that you don't know whether to laugh or cry, the Chinese phrase to use is 哭笑不得 (kū xiào bù dé).
This phrase literally translates to "cry laugh not obtain," meaning you can neither cry nor laugh. It perfectly captures that feeling of exasperation or bewilderment when you're faced with a situation that's beyond ordinary emotional responses.
You might use 哭笑不得 when someone does something incredibly foolish, or when a situation is so absurd it leaves you speechless and conflicted.
It's a great way to express that feeling of being at a loss for words, caught between amusement and frustration.
哭笑不得 30초 만에
- exasperated
- amused and frustrated
- speechless
§ Understanding 哭笑不得
- DEFINITION
- To not know whether to laugh or cry; exasperated.
You've learned 哭笑不得 (kū xiào bù dé), which describes that feeling of being so dumbfounded or exasperated by a situation that you don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's about an awkward, often absurd, or frustrating situation that leaves you in an emotional limbo. But are there other Chinese words that express similar feelings? And when exactly should you use 哭笑不得 over them?
§ Similar Words and Nuances
Let's look at some phrases that might seem similar but have distinct uses. The key is understanding the specific nuance of 'not knowing whether to laugh or cry' – the emotional conflict caused by an absurd or frustrating situation.
无奈 (wú nài) – Helpless, without recourse: This word focuses on a feeling of helplessness or having no alternative. While a situation that makes you 哭笑不得 can also make you 无奈, 无奈 itself doesn't carry the specific 'laugh or cry' dilemma. It's more about being resigned to a difficult situation.
他面对这样的情况，感到很无奈。(He felt very helpless facing such a situation.)
尴尬 (gān gà) – Embarrassed, awkward: 尴尬 is about feeling awkward or embarrassed, usually in a social context. A situation that makes you 哭笑不得 might also be awkward, but 尴尬 doesn't necessarily include the 'laugh or cry' internal conflict. It's more about external discomfort.
场面一度非常尴尬。(The scene was once very awkward.)
啼笑皆非 (tí xiào jiē fēi) – To not know whether to cry or laugh; extremely embarrassed or perplexed: This one is very, very close to 哭笑不得! In many contexts, they can be used interchangeably. Both convey the idea of being so confounded or exasperated by a situation that one is unsure how to react emotionally. However, 啼笑皆非 often leans a bit more towards being utterly perplexed or finding something absurd and ridiculous, while 哭笑不得 can sometimes imply a bit more frustration or resignation in the mix of absurdity.
听到他的解释，我真是啼笑皆非。(Hearing his explanation, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.)
§ When to Use 哭笑不得
Use 哭笑不得 when the situation is:
Absurd or ridiculous: Something so illogical or unbelievable happens that you're left speechless and internally conflicted.
听到他给出的理由，我真是哭笑不得。(Hearing the reason he gave, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.)
Frustrating but also slightly amusing (in a dark way): The situation is annoying, but there's an element of almost comical misfortune.
看到他把盐当糖放进咖啡里，我真是哭笑不得。(Seeing him put salt instead of sugar in his coffee, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.)
Unexpected and leaves you in a state of emotional ambiguity: You're caught off guard and can't settle on a single emotional response.
对于他提出的那个离谱建议，我简直哭笑不得。(Regarding his outrageous suggestion, I was simply exasperated.)
§ Key Takeaway
How Formal Is It?
"听到那个荒谬的理由，我真是哭笑不得。"
재미있는 사실
This idiom is often used humorously to describe situations that are so ridiculous they defy a simple emotional response.
발음 가이드
- The tone of '不' (bù) changes to second tone when followed by a fourth tone character.
알아야 할 문법
Idioms often express complex emotions or situations concisely. "哭笑不得" is a four-character idiom (成语 chéngyǔ) that directly conveys a feeling of exasperation where you're caught between two extreme emotions.
他听到这个荒谬的借口，真是哭笑不得。(He heard this ridiculous excuse and truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.)
Many idioms like "哭笑不得" function as a verb phrase or an adjective, describing a state or reaction. They can directly follow a subject or be used with adverbs of degree.
这情况让我哭笑不得。(This situation makes me exasperated.)
When using "哭笑不得," it often describes an internal feeling or reaction to an external event. The subject of the idiom is typically the person experiencing this feeling.
面对他天真的问题，我有时会哭笑不得。(Facing his naive questions, I sometimes don't know whether to laugh or cry.)
You can sometimes intensify the feeling of "哭笑不得" by adding adverbs like "真" (zhēn, really) or "简直" (jiǎnzhí, simply/virtually).
他竟然忘了自己的生日，我简直哭笑不得。(He actually forgot his own birthday, I was simply exasperated.)
While "哭笑不得" conveys a mix of emotions, it primarily leans towards frustration or helplessness due to the absurdity of a situation, rather than just sadness or joy.
看他犯了同样的错误，我真是哭笑不得。(Seeing him make the same mistake again, I was truly exasperated.)
수준별 예문
他看起来哭笑不得。
He looks [not know whether to laugh or cry].
我真哭笑不得。
I truly [not know whether to laugh or cry].
这事让我哭笑不得。
This matter makes me [not know whether to laugh or cry].
听到这个消息，他哭笑不得。
Hearing this news, he [not know whether to laugh or cry].
她哭笑不得地看着我。
She [not know whether to laugh or cry]-ly looked at me.
这个情况真让人哭笑不得。
This situation truly makes people [not know whether to laugh or cry].
我不知道是该笑还是哭，真是哭笑不得。
I don't know whether I should laugh or cry, truly [not know whether to laugh or cry].
他的回答让我哭笑不得。
His answer made me [not know whether to laugh or cry].
我看到我的猫把厕纸弄得一团糟，真是哭笑不得。
I saw my cat making a mess with toilet paper, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
他讲的笑话太冷了，我真是哭笑不得。
The joke he told was so bad, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
老板给我布置了一个不可能完成的任务，我哭笑不得。
My boss gave me an impossible task, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
我的朋友穿着一件非常奇怪的衣服来参加派对，让我哭笑不得。
My friend came to the party in a very strange outfit, making me not know whether to laugh or cry.
听到这个消息，我真是哭笑不得，不知道该说什么。
Hearing this news, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry, not knowing what to say.
孩子们把房间弄得乱七八糟，我真是哭笑不得。
The children made the room a total mess, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
他做出的决定太离谱了，我简直哭笑不得。
The decision he made was so outrageous, I was completely at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
当我的电脑突然死机时，我真是哭笑不得。
When my computer suddenly crashed, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
听到这个荒谬的理由，我真是哭笑不得。
Hearing this absurd reason, I was truly exasperated.
他讲的笑话太冷了，让我哭笑不得。
The joke he told was so bad, it made me not know whether to laugh or cry.
面对孩子把颜料涂满墙壁，妈妈哭笑不得。
Facing her child who painted all over the walls, the mother was exasperated.
看到同事的奇葩操作，我只能哭笑不得。
Seeing my colleague's strange behavior, I could only not know whether to laugh or cry.
这个结局真是出乎意料，让人哭笑不得。
This ending was truly unexpected, making people exasperated.
他一本正经地胡说八道，我真是哭笑不得。
He was seriously talking nonsense, I was truly exasperated.
明明是件小事，他却反应过度，让我哭笑不得。
It was clearly a small matter, but he overreacted, making me not know whether to laugh or cry.
听着他们争论不休，我感到哭笑不得。
Listening to them argue endlessly, I felt exasperated.
她发现自己的狗把她的新鞋子啃坏了，真是让她哭笑不得。
She found her dog chewed up her new shoes, it really made her not know whether to laugh or cry.
听了他这个离谱的借口，我真是哭笑不得。
After hearing his outrageous excuse, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
面对孩子提出的古怪问题，老师常常会感到哭笑不得。
Facing the strange questions asked by the children, the teacher often feels exasperated.
他在会议上讲了一个冷笑话，大家都哭笑不得。
He told a bad joke at the meeting, and everyone was exasperated.
看到同事的电脑桌面一片狼藉，他简直哭笑不得。
Seeing his colleague's messy computer desktop, he was utterly exasperated.
男朋友送的礼物太奇葩了，让她哭笑不得。
The gift her boyfriend gave her was so bizarre, it made her not know whether to laugh or cry.
我努力解释了半天，他还是没明白，真让我哭笑不得。
I tried to explain for a long time, but he still didn't understand, which truly made me exasperated.
这家餐厅的服务员态度太差了，顾客们都哭笑不得。
The service attitude of the waiters in this restaurant was so bad that the customers were all exasperated.
문법 패턴
문장 패턴
（人）哭笑不得。
我真是哭笑不得。
（情况）让人哭笑不得。
他说的这番话真让人哭笑不得。
因为（原因），（人）哭笑不得。
因为他的无理要求，我感到哭笑不得。
（人）对（某事）感到哭笑不得。
她对这些奇葩的规定感到哭笑不得。
（事件/情况）发展到让人哭笑不得的地步。
事情发展到让人哭笑不得的地步，我也不知道该怎么办了。
사용법
Usage Notes:
哭笑不得 (kū xiǎo bù dé) literally translates to "cry laugh not obtain." It describes a situation where you are so exasperated, amused, or bewildered that you don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's often used when something is simultaneously funny and frustrating, or absurd.
- It's commonly used to express a sense of helplessness or irony in the face of an odd or difficult situation.
- Can be used for both people and situations. For example, a person can be 哭笑不得, or a situation can make someone 哭笑不得.
Examples:
Example 1:
Chinese: 他的笑话太冷了，让我哭笑不得。
Pinyin: Tā de xiàohuà tài lěng le, ràng wǒ kū xiǎo bù dé.
English: His joke was so bad (literally "cold"), it made me not know whether to laugh or cry.
Example 2:
Chinese: 看到他把裤子穿反了，我真是哭笑不得。
Pinyin: Kàn dào tā bǎ kùzi chuān fǎn le, wǒ zhēnshi kū xiǎo bù dé.
English: Seeing him wear his pants backward, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
Example 3:
Chinese: 老板的要求总是变来变去，我们都觉得哭笑不得。
Pinyin: Lǎobǎn de yāoqiú zǒng shì biàn lái biàn qù, wǒmen dōu juéde kū xiǎo bù dé.
English: The boss's demands are always changing, we all feel exasperated.
Common Mistakes:
- Confusing it with simple amusement or sadness: 哭笑不得 is more nuanced than just being funny or sad. It specifically implies a mix of emotions, often involving a sense of absurdity, frustration, or helplessness. Don't use it if you simply mean "funny" (好笑) or "sad" (难过).
- Using it in overly serious or tragic situations: While it can convey frustration, it usually has a lighter, more ironic tone. For truly serious or tragic events, other expressions would be more appropriate.
- Directly translating it word-for-word in English: While the literal translation helps understand the components, don't use "cry laugh not obtain" directly in English conversation. Instead, use phrases like "not know whether to laugh or cry," "exasperated," "dumbfounded," or "at a loss for words."
팁
Literal Meaning Breakdown
Literally, 哭笑不得 means 'cry laugh cannot obtain'. It paints a picture of being so overwhelmed or perplexed that you don't know whether to cry or laugh.
Use for Awkward Situations
This phrase is perfect for situations that are incredibly awkward, embarrassing, or just plain ridiculous, leaving you feeling a mix of amusement and frustration.
Common Contexts
You'll often hear this when someone is describing an absurd situation, a silly misunderstanding, or something that's both a little sad and a little funny at the same time.
Expressing Helplessness
Beyond just not knowing whether to laugh or cry, it also conveys a sense of helplessness or powerlessness in the face of a strange event.
Not for Serious Sadness
While 'cry' is in the phrase, it's not used for genuinely tragic or depressing situations. The 'laugh' part implies an element of absurdity.
Figurative Language
Remember, this is an idiom, so don't take it too literally. It's about the feeling and reaction to a situation, not actual crying and laughing simultaneously.
Practice with Scenarios
Think of some funny or absurd things that have happened to you. How would you describe them using 哭笑不得? This helps with contextual recall.
Avoid Direct Translation
Don't try to translate 'not know whether to laugh or cry' word-for-word into Chinese. 哭笑不得 is the natural and idiomatic way to express this sentiment.
Listen for Usage
Pay attention to how native speakers use this phrase in movies, TV shows, or conversations. This will help you grasp its nuances and appropriate contexts.
Similar English Expressions
Think of English phrases like 'beyond belief', 'you can't make this stuff up', or 'speechless with exasperation' to help you connect with its meaning.
암기하기
기억법
Imagine someone is so frustrated or amused that they're caught between 'kū' (crying) and 'xiào' (laughing), making them 'bù dé' (unable) to pick one. It's like being stuck in a funny-sad loop.
시각적 연상
Picture a cartoon character with a single tear rolling down one cheek and a smile on the other, shrugging their shoulders in an 'I give up' gesture. That's 哭笑不得.
Word Web
챌린지
You're at a family dinner, and your eccentric aunt starts telling a story that's both incredibly embarrassing and hilariously absurd. How do you feel? You might feel 哭笑不得. Try using it in a sentence: '听了她的话，我真是哭笑不得。' (After hearing her words, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry.)
어원
哭笑不得 (kū xiǎo bù dé) is a Chinese idiom that literally translates to 'cry laugh not get'. It describes a situation where one is so exasperated, confused, or amused by something that they don't know whether to laugh or cry.
원래 의미: The phrase doesn't refer to physically crying and laughing at the same time, but rather the internal feeling of being caught between two extreme emotions, often due to an absurd or awkward situation.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, Chinese문화적 맥락
When a Chinese speaker uses "哭笑不得," they are conveying a feeling of helplessness mixed with amusement or frustration. It's a common expression in daily conversations and literature to describe bewildering or awkward social situations. This idiom highlights the Chinese cultural appreciation for nuanced emotional expression, where a single phrase can encapsulate a complex, contradictory feeling.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문哭笑不得 (kū xiào bù dé) means you don't know whether to laugh or cry. It's used when a situation is so absurd, awkward, or frustrating that you're caught between wanting to laugh at the ridiculousness and feeling upset or exasperated by it. Think of it as being at a loss for how to react.
Sure. Imagine your friend tells a terrible joke, but everyone else laughs really hard. You might feel 哭笑不得. Another example: 朋友的解释真是让人哭笑不得。 (Péngyou de jiěshì zhēn shì ràng rén kū xiào bù dé.) - My friend's explanation really left me not knowing whether to laugh or cry. (It was so bad/silly).
Yes, it's quite common. You'll hear it in conversations, see it in articles, and encounter it in various media. It's a useful phrase to express a specific kind of exasperation or amusement.
While there's overlap, 哭笑不得 specifically implies a mix of emotions – a desire to laugh and a desire to cry (or be frustrated). 'Speechless' (无语 - wúyǔ) can be more general and might just mean you have nothing to say, without the same emotional conflict. 哭笑不得 is more vivid about the conflicting feelings.
Absolutely. For example, 看到他那天真的样子，我真是哭笑不得。 (Kàndào tā nà tiānzhēn de yàngzi, wǒ zhēn shì kū xiào bù dé.) - Seeing his naive look, I really didn't know whether to laugh or cry. You can use it for yourself or for others.
It's generally more on the negative or neutral side, leaning towards exasperation or helplessness, even if there's a touch of amusement. It describes an awkward or difficult situation rather than a purely positive one.
It's versatile. You can use it in both informal and slightly more formal contexts. It's not slang, but it's also not overly formal. It fits well in everyday conversation.
Let's look at it:
- 哭 (kū): cry
- 笑 (xiào): laugh
- 不 (bù): not
- 得 (dé): able to, can
One common mistake is using it for situations that are just sad or just funny. Remember, the key is the mix of emotions. If a situation is purely sad, use a different phrase. If it's purely funny, again, use something else. It's about that specific, confusing blend.
Try to think of situations in your own life where you felt totally exasperated, confused, or found something so absurd that you didn't know how to react. Then, try to describe those situations using 哭笑不得 in a sentence. The more you connect it to your own experiences, the better you'll remember it.
셀프 테스트 120 질문
她听到这个消息，真是让她感到_______。
The context implies a feeling of not knowing how to react, which '哭笑不得' perfectly captures.
看他做饭的样子，我简直_______。
The sentence suggests an amusingly awkward situation, making '哭笑不得' the best fit.
老师的笑话太冷了，同学们都_______。
A 'cold joke' often elicits a '哭笑不得' reaction – not quite funny enough to laugh, but not serious enough to cry.
他说了这么奇怪的话，让大家_______。
Strange or illogical statements can often leave people feeling '哭笑不得'.
看到小狗把鞋子藏起来，主人_______。
A playful but slightly inconvenient action by a pet often leads to a '哭笑不得' feeling.
这个孩子太调皮了，妈妈有时候真_______。
Dealing with a very mischievous child can often make a parent feel '哭笑不得'.
Which of these means 'Hello'?
你好 (nǐ hǎo) is the most common way to say 'Hello' in Chinese.
How do you say 'Thank you'?
谢谢 (xiè xie) means 'Thank you'.
If someone says '谢谢 (xiè xie)', how do you reply?
不客气 (bù kè qì) means 'You're welcome' or 'No problem'.
'再见 (zài jiàn)' means 'Goodbye'.
That's right! 再见 (zài jiàn) is used to say 'Goodbye'.
'是 (shì)' means 'no'.
Actually, 是 (shì) means 'yes' or 'to be'. 'No' is '不 (bù)'.
If you want to ask 'What's your name?', you can say '你叫什么名字？(nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?)'.
Yes, '你叫什么名字？(nǐ jiào shénme míngzi?)' is the correct way to ask 'What's your name?'.
Common greeting
Expressing gratitude
Saying goodbye
Read this aloud:
我爱你
Focus: wǒ ài nǐ
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你是哪国人？
Focus: nǐ shì nǎ guó rén?
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我叫玛丽。
Focus: wǒ jiào Mǎlì.
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Write a short sentence about something that makes you happy.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我很高兴。
Write a short sentence about something you like to eat.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我喜欢吃米饭。
Write a short sentence about your family.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我家有三个人。
书是什么颜色的？
Read this passage:
这是我的书。书是红色的。
书是什么颜色的？
文章中说“书是红色的”。
文章中说“书是红色的”。
谁很漂亮？
Read this passage:
我爱我的妈妈。妈妈很漂亮。
谁很漂亮？
文章中说“妈妈很漂亮”。
文章中说“妈妈很漂亮”。
苹果怎么样？
Read this passage:
他有一个苹果。苹果很大。
苹果怎么样？
文章中说“苹果很大”。
文章中说“苹果很大”。
This is a basic sentence structure: Subject + Verb + Quantifier + Noun.
This is a common greeting: 'How are you?'
This sentence means 'She has an apple.' '有' means 'to have,' and '一个' means 'one.'
她迟到了一个小时，经理看了她一眼，真是让人____。
经理面对迟到的员工，心情复杂，是'哭笑不得'。
小狗把我的作业撕碎了，我真是____。
作业被撕碎了，虽然生气但又觉得小狗很可爱，这种心情就是'哭笑不得'。
他讲了一个不好笑的笑话，大家听了都____。
笑话不好笑，但为了不让他尴尬，所以是'哭笑不得'。
我的朋友穿着睡衣去超市，我真是____。
朋友的行为有点奇怪，让人觉得好笑又无奈，所以是'哭笑不得'。
妈妈给我买了一件大三码的衣服，我真是____。
衣服不合身，但妈妈是好意，所以这种心情是'哭笑不得'。
老师在课堂上睡着了，同学们都____。
老师睡着了是很罕见的情况，让人觉得好笑又有些尴尬，是'哭笑不得'。
Listen and understand the feeling.
Listen and understand the feeling.
Listen and understand the situation.
Read this aloud:
我很高兴。
Focus: gāo xìng
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
我很伤心。
Focus: shāng xīn
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你喜欢什么？
Focus: xǐ huān
당신의 답변:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Imagine your friend tells you a very silly joke that isn't funny at all, but they are laughing really hard. How would you describe your feeling using '哭笑不得'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的朋友讲了一个很不好笑的笑话，但他自己笑得很开心，我真是哭笑不得。
You are trying to fix something, but it keeps breaking in new and unexpected ways. Describe this situation with '哭笑不得'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我试着修我的自行车，但它一直坏，让我哭笑不得。
Your pet does something very mischievous but also very cute. How would you express your mixed feelings using '哭笑不得'?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的小狗把我的鞋子藏起来了，它很顽皮，但看着它可爱的样子，我真是哭笑不得。
小明为什么哭笑不得？
Read this passage:
小明今天考试迟到了，他急急忙忙地跑进教室。老师看到他这样，没有生气，反而笑了。小明觉得老师这样，他真是哭笑不得。
小明为什么哭笑不得？
passage indicates that the teacher smiled instead of being angry, which put Xiao Ming in a state of not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
passage indicates that the teacher smiled instead of being angry, which put Xiao Ming in a state of not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
作者为什么哭笑不得？
Read this passage:
妈妈叫我去买菜，我到了超市才发现忘记带钱包了。我只好回家拿，再回来超市。这件事让我觉得很哭笑不得。
作者为什么哭笑不得？
The passage describes the author's frustration of forgetting the wallet and having to go back and forth, leading to the feeling of '哭笑不得'.
The passage describes the author's frustration of forgetting the wallet and having to go back and forth, leading to the feeling of '哭笑不得'.
朋友为什么会让人觉得哭笑不得？
Read this passage:
我的朋友说了一个冷笑话，一点也不好笑，但他自己却笑得很大声。我听了，真是哭笑不得。
朋友为什么会让人觉得哭笑不得？
The situation described is a friend telling an unfunny joke but laughing heartily, which causes the feeling of '哭笑不得'.
The situation described is a friend telling an unfunny joke but laughing heartily, which causes the feeling of '哭笑不得'.
The correct order is 'He made me also exasperated.' This construction is common for expressing how someone makes you feel a certain way.
The correct order means 'This situation really makes people exasperated.' '真是' (zhēn shì) means 'really is' and '让人' (ràng rén) means 'makes people.'
The correct order is 'Seeing him wear that outfit, I really was exasperated.' '看到' (kàn dào) means 'seeing/to see' and '那件' (nà jiàn) refers to 'that item' (of clothing).
她听到这个荒唐的理由，真是让人生气又____。
The context implies a feeling of being exasperated or not knowing whether to laugh or cry due to an absurd reason. '哭笑不得' fits this meaning perfectly.
当他发现自己的狗把作业吃了，真是____。
Eating homework is a classic frustrating and absurd situation, which aligns with '哭笑不得'.
面对他这样无理的要求，我真是____。
An unreasonable request often leads to a feeling of not knowing how to react, a state of '哭笑不得'.
看到孩子把颜料涂满了墙，妈妈____。
A mischievous child's actions can be both annoying and amusing, leading to a '哭笑不得' reaction.
老板给了一个不可能完成的任务，员工们都感到____。
An impossible task would likely cause exasperation and a feeling of '哭笑不得' among employees.
听到这个完全错误的答案，老师也____。
A completely wrong answer can be so unexpected or illogical that it leaves one '哭笑不得'.
朋友告诉我他把手机放进了冰箱，我感到很______。
把手机放冰箱是件让人觉得荒唐、不知道该如何反应的事，所以选'哭笑不得'最合适。
当老师宣布取消了周末的作业，同学们都______。
取消作业通常是令人高兴的事情，而不是让人感到哭笑不得。'哭笑不得'用于形容一种无奈或啼笑皆非的情绪。
小明把猫的食物放进了自己的碗里，妈妈看了觉得______。
小明把猫粮放进自己的碗里，这种行为很天真但又有点奇怪，让人觉得不知该笑还是该责备，所以'哭笑不得'最贴切。
如果一件事情让你感到非常开心，你就可以说“哭笑不得”。
“哭笑不得”表示无奈或感到荒唐，和“非常开心”的情绪是相反的。
当朋友讲了一个不好笑的笑话，你可能会感到“哭笑不得”。
不好笑的笑话可能会让人觉得有点尴尬或无奈，这时用“哭笑不得”来形容是合适的。
“哭笑不得”可以用来形容一个人非常生气的情绪。
“哭笑不得”更侧重于无奈、荒唐或啼笑皆非的感觉，而不是纯粹的生气。
她听到这个离谱的借口，真是___。
The context implies a feeling of exasperation due to an absurd excuse, which '哭笑不得' perfectly captures.
面对儿子把颜料涂满全身，妈妈感到___。
The situation of a child making a mess often leads to a feeling of being at a loss whether to be angry or amused, fitting '哭笑不得'.
他的解释实在是太牵强了，让所有人都___。
A far-fetched explanation would likely leave people feeling exasperated and unsure how to react, hence '哭笑不得'.
看到宠物狗把报纸撕成碎片，主人感到___。
A mischievous pet's actions can often lead to a mix of annoyance and amusement, making '哭笑不得' appropriate.
我听了他的荒唐计划，真是___。
An absurd plan would naturally elicit a feeling of exasperation and amusement, matching '哭笑不得'.
老师收到的答案五花八门，让她有点___。
Varied and sometimes unexpected answers can leave a teacher feeling '哭笑不得', a mix of amusement and helplessness.
她听到这个荒谬的借口，真是___。
The context implies a feeling of exasperation due to an absurd excuse, which '哭笑不得' perfectly captures.
看到他的表演，观众们都___，不知道该笑还是该生气。
The phrase '不知道该笑还是该生气' directly translates to the meaning of '哭笑不得'.
当他发现自己错过了重要的会议时，他感到___。
Missing an important meeting can lead to a feeling of exasperation and not knowing how to react, which is '哭笑不得'.
如果你对某件事情感到非常开心和满意，你可以说你'哭笑不得'。
'哭笑不得' expresses a feeling of exasperation or not knowing how to react, not happiness or satisfaction.
当一个人不知道是该笑还是该哭的时候，就可以用'哭笑不得'来形容。
This statement accurately defines the meaning of '哭笑不得'.
听到一个非常幽默的笑话后，你会'哭笑不得'。
Hearing a humorous joke would typically make you laugh, not feel exasperated or conflicted in your emotions.
Describe a situation where you felt '哭笑不得' (exasperated). What happened and how did you react?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
昨天，我发现我的猫把我的作业撕成了碎片，我真是哭笑不得。我不知道是该生气还是该觉得它很可爱。
Imagine a friend tells you a story that makes them feel '哭笑不得'. Write a short dialogue (2-3 exchanges) where your friend explains the situation using this phrase, and you respond.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
朋友：我的室友把我的牙刷拿去刷鞋了，我真是哭笑不得。 我：啊？这也太奇怪了吧！你打算怎么办？
Translate the following sentence into Chinese, using '哭笑不得': 'The teacher's explanation was so confusing that the students didn't know whether to laugh or cry.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
老师的解释太令人困惑了，学生们都哭笑不得。
为什么小明的妈妈会感到“哭笑不得”？ (Why did Xiao Ming's mother feel '哭笑不得'?)
Read this passage:
小明第一次尝试做饭，结果把厨房弄得一团糟。他的妈妈看到厨房的样子，既生气又觉得好笑，真是哭笑不得。她不知道是该骂他一顿，还是该帮他清理。
为什么小明的妈妈会感到“哭笑不得”？ (Why did Xiao Ming's mother feel '哭笑不得'?)
文章中明确指出，小明的妈妈看到厨房一团糟，感到既生气又好笑，所以用“哭笑不得”来形容她的心情。(The passage clearly states that Xiao Ming's mother saw the messy kitchen and felt both angry and amused, hence '哭笑不得' describes her feelings.)
文章中明确指出，小明的妈妈看到厨房一团糟，感到既生气又好笑，所以用“哭笑不得”来形容她的心情。(The passage clearly states that Xiao Ming's mother saw the messy kitchen and felt both angry and amused, hence '哭笑不得' describes her feelings.)
根据文章，为什么同事们对公司的新规定感到“哭笑不得”？ (According to the passage, why did colleagues feel '哭笑不得' about the company's new regulations?)
Read this passage:
公司的新规定让大家都很不适应。比如，现在开会必须站着，而且不能喝水。很多同事都觉得这些规定很荒唐，让他们哭笑不得，不知道该怎么遵守。
根据文章，为什么同事们对公司的新规定感到“哭笑不得”？ (According to the passage, why did colleagues feel '哭笑不得' about the company's new regulations?)
文章中提到同事们觉得新规定很荒唐，不知道该怎么遵守，所以感到“哭笑不得”。(The passage mentions that colleagues found the new regulations absurd and didn't know how to comply, thus feeling '哭笑不得'.)
文章中提到同事们觉得新规定很荒唐，不知道该怎么遵守，所以感到“哭笑不得”。(The passage mentions that colleagues found the new regulations absurd and didn't know how to comply, thus feeling '哭笑不得'.)
朋友对他的宠物狗的什么行为感到“哭笑不得”？ (What behavior of his pet dog made the friend feel '哭笑不得'?)
Read this passage:
我的朋友告诉我一个关于他的宠物狗的故事。这只狗每次听到门铃响，都会把头埋在沙发垫子下面，假装自己不在家。朋友每次看到它这样，都觉得哭笑不得，因为它太可爱又太滑稽了。
朋友对他的宠物狗的什么行为感到“哭笑不得”？ (What behavior of his pet dog made the friend feel '哭笑不得'?)
文章中明确指出，朋友看到狗每次听到门铃响就把头埋在沙发垫子下面，觉得哭笑不得。(The passage clearly states that the friend felt '哭笑不得' when the dog buried its head under the sofa cushion every time the doorbell rang.)
文章中明确指出，朋友看到狗每次听到门铃响就把头埋在沙发垫子下面，觉得哭笑不得。(The passage clearly states that the friend felt '哭笑不得' when the dog buried its head under the sofa cushion every time the doorbell rang.)
The correct order forms the sentence 'His way of doing things really made me not know whether to laugh or cry.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'The ending of this story made people not know whether to laugh or cry.'
The correct order forms the sentence 'He forgot to bring his keys again, which made me not know whether to laugh or cry.'
他讲的那个笑话一点也不好笑，反而让人感到___。
The joke was not funny and instead caused a feeling of exasperation, which is precisely what '哭笑不得' describes.
面对儿子提出的奇葩问题，她感到___，不知道该怎么回答。
A '奇葩问题' (bizarre question) would naturally lead to a feeling of not knowing whether to laugh or cry, making '哭笑不得' the most suitable choice.
公司的新规定太过繁琐，许多员工都对此___。
Overly complicated company regulations would likely cause a mixed feeling of frustration and perhaps a bit of absurdity, fitting '哭笑不得'.
看到他把正事忘得一干二净，却对鸡毛蒜皮的小事斤斤计较，我真有点___。
Forgetting important matters but being particular about trifles is a situation that would evoke a feeling of exasperation or not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
当他把那个错误的答案当作真理一样坚持时，我只能___。
Insisting on a wrong answer as truth would likely make one feel exasperated, making '哭笑不得' the best fit.
她把一件小事说得天花乱坠，听得我真是___。
Exaggerating a small matter ('说得天花乱坠') to an excessive degree would typically cause a feeling of exasperation or not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
This sentence describes a situation where someone feels both angry and amused, leading to the feeling of '哭笑不得'.
A direct application of '哭笑不得' to describe an exasperating situation.
Here, '哭笑不得' describes the listener's reaction to an absurd or unbelievable explanation.
当他得知自己的猫吃了他的毕业论文时，他感到______。
猫吃了毕业论文，这是一种让人感到无奈又好笑的窘境，所以“哭笑不得”最合适。
小明在舞台上表演时，裤子突然掉了，全场观众都______。
裤子掉了的场面既尴尬又滑稽，让观众不知道该笑还是该同情，因此“哭笑不得”最能表达这种复杂的情绪。
他收到了一个生日礼物，里面装的是一块砖头，让他______。
收到砖头作为生日礼物是一种非常荒谬且令人无奈的情况，用“哭笑不得”来形容最恰当。
如果你在派对上看到有人跳舞跳得非常滑稽，你会感到“哭笑不得”。
“哭笑不得”用来形容那种既好笑又让人感到无奈或尴尬的场面，滑稽的舞蹈符合这个情境。
当你的朋友为你准备了一个惊喜派对时，你会感到“哭笑不得”。
惊喜派对通常会让人感到高兴和感动，而不是“哭笑不得”。“哭笑不得”更多地用于形容窘迫或无奈的情境。
面对一个非常严肃但又很愚蠢的错误，用“哭笑不得”来形容你的感受是恰当的。
“哭笑不得”恰好表达了面对一个既严肃又愚蠢的错误时，那种想要发笑又觉得不妥，或者感到无奈的复杂情绪。
Imagine you are stuck in a ridiculously long and slow-moving line at the bank, and the person in front of you is arguing with the teller about a minor fee for twenty minutes. Describe how you would feel using 哭笑不得.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我在银行排队排了很久，前面那个人为了一个小小的手续费跟柜员争论了二十分钟。我站在那里真是哭笑不得，不知道该生气还是该笑。
You've just witnessed a child trying to convince their dog that it can fly by repeatedly throwing it off a low couch. The dog seems unfazed but the child is very serious. Describe your reaction with 哭笑不得.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我看到一个孩子很认真地把他的狗从沙发上扔下来，试图让它飞起来，狗倒是没事人一样。我真是哭笑不得，这个孩子太天真了。
Your friend excitedly tells you about a 'revolutionary' new diet where you only eat pizza. You know it's completely unhealthy but they are genuinely enthusiastic. How would you describe your feeling of being caught between amusement and concern, using 哭笑不得?
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我的朋友很兴奋地告诉我他发现了一个“革命性”的新减肥法，就是只吃披萨。我听了真是哭笑不得，不知道该佩服他的勇气还是该劝他清醒一点。
老师为什么感到哭笑不得？
Read this passage:
小明向他的老师解释他为什么没做作业。他说他的猫把他的笔记本电脑吞了，然后又吐了出来，所以电脑坏了。老师听完他的解释后，感到哭笑不得。她不知道是该相信小明丰富的想象力，还是该批评他不诚实。
老师为什么感到哭笑不得？
文章中明确提到小明解释他为什么没做作业，理由是他的猫吞了笔记本电脑又吐了出来，老师对这种离谱的解释感到哭笑不得。
文章中明确提到小明解释他为什么没做作业，理由是他的猫吞了笔记本电脑又吐了出来，老师对这种离谱的解释感到哭笑不得。
根据文章，作者为什么“哭笑不得”？
Read this passage:
我在网上看到一个视频，一个男人试图用筷子吃意大利面，结果面条四处乱飞，但他依然非常努力。看着他狼狈的样子，我真是哭笑不得。虽然他看起来很笨拙，但他的坚持又让人觉得有点可爱。
根据文章，作者为什么“哭笑不得”？
文章提到“看着他狼狈的样子，我真是哭笑不得”，指的是他用筷子吃意大利面导致面条乱飞的笨拙样子。
文章提到“看着他狼狈的样子，我真是哭笑不得”，指的是他用筷子吃意大利面导致面条乱飞的笨拙样子。
作者的微笑为什么是“哭笑不得”的？
Read this passage:
我的新邻居邀请我去他家吃晚餐。他做了一道他声称是“祖传秘方”的菜，但尝起来却像把所有调料都倒进去了。我不知道该如何评价，只好对他报以一个哭笑不得的微笑，然后努力把食物吞下去。
作者的微笑为什么是“哭笑不得”的？
作者描述邻居做的菜“尝起来却像把所有调料都倒进去了”，所以他不知道该如何评价，只能报以哭笑不得的微笑。
作者描述邻居做的菜“尝起来却像把所有调料都倒进去了”，所以他不知道该如何评价，只能报以哭笑不得的微笑。
This sentence means 'Her words made me not know whether to laugh or cry.' The structure is 'Subject + 的 + 话 + 让 + Object + 哭笑不得'.
This sentence means 'Facing this situation, he truly didn't know whether to laugh or cry.' The structure is '面对 + (This) 情况 + Subject + 真的 + 哭笑不得'.
This sentence means 'Seeing her son make the cake like this, mom didn't know whether to laugh or cry.' The structure is '看到 + Object + 把 + Object + 弄成 + (like this) + Subject + 哭笑不得'.
/ 120 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Use 哭笑不得 when a situation is so absurd or frustrating that you don't know whether to laugh or cry.
- exasperated
- amused and frustrated
- speechless
Literal Meaning Breakdown
Literally, 哭笑不得 means 'cry laugh cannot obtain'. It paints a picture of being so overwhelmed or perplexed that you don't know whether to cry or laugh.
Use for Awkward Situations
This phrase is perfect for situations that are incredibly awkward, embarrassing, or just plain ridiculous, leaving you feeling a mix of amusement and frustration.
Common Contexts
You'll often hear this when someone is describing an absurd situation, a silly misunderstanding, or something that's both a little sad and a little funny at the same time.
Expressing Helplessness
Beyond just not knowing whether to laugh or cry, it also conveys a sense of helplessness or powerlessness in the face of a strange event.
예시
听到这个荒谬的理由，我真是哭笑不得。
관련 콘텐츠
관련 표현
emotions 관련 단어
有点
A1A little; somewhat; rather.
一点
A1A little; a bit; slightly.
可恶
A2Hateful; detestable; abominable.
心不在焉
A2Absent-minded; preoccupied.
接受地
A2Acceptingly; receptively.
成就感
B1Sense of achievement; fulfillment.
撒娇
A2To act like a spoiled child; to act cute.
上瘾
B1To be addicted to something.
沉迷
A2To be addicted to; to be engrossed in.
敬佩
B1Admiration; respect; reverence.
