In 15 Seconds
- Used for deep emotional pain or being heartbroken.
- Combines the characters for 'injury' and 'heart'.
- Common in daily conversation, songs, and storytelling.
Meaning
This phrase describes the feeling of being deeply hurt or sad. It literally means your heart is wounded or broken, used when something truly upsets you.
Key Examples
3 of 6Talking about a breakup
分手以后，他非常伤心。
After the breakup, he was very sad.
Reacting to a sad movie
这个电影的结尾太伤心了。
The ending of this movie is too sad.
Losing a pet
我的猫丢了，我很伤心。
My cat is lost, I am very sad.
Cultural Background
Expressing sadness is often done indirectly to avoid burdening others.
Use it with '很'
Always add '很' to make it sound natural.
In 15 Seconds
- Used for deep emotional pain or being heartbroken.
- Combines the characters for 'injury' and 'heart'.
- Common in daily conversation, songs, and storytelling.
What It Means
伤心 is the go-to word for deep sadness. It is more than just feeling 'blue.' It implies your heart is actually hurting. Think of it as 'heartbroken' or 'deeply grieved.' It covers everything from a breakup to a sad movie. It is a very raw, emotional word.
How To Use It
Use it like an adjective. You can say 我很伤心 (I am very sad). You can also use it to describe an event. For example, 这是一件伤心的事 (This is a sad matter). It usually follows adverbs like 很 (very) or 太 (too). Don't just say the word alone. It needs a subject and a degree.
When To Use It
Use it when the sadness is real. Use it after a big fight with a friend. Use it if you lose your favorite watch. It is perfect for texting a friend about a bad day. It works well in songs and movies too. If you are crying, 伤心 is the right word.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid it for tiny inconveniences. If the coffee shop is out of oat milk, don't use 伤心. That is just 遗憾 (pity) or 不开心 (unhappy). Using 伤心 for small things sounds like a drama queen. Also, avoid it in strictly clinical medical reports. It is a personal, emotional expression.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, emotions are often linked to organs. The heart (心) is the center of all feelings. When you are sad, the heart is literally 'injured.' This reflects a holistic view of health. Emotional pain is seen as physical pain. It shows how deeply the Chinese language values the 'heart' as the seat of the soul.
Common Variations
If you are beyond sad, use 心碎 (heartbroken). If you are just a bit down, use 难过 (hard to get through). For a more poetic vibe, you might hear 忧伤 (melancholy). In slang, young people might say 扎心了 (pierced my heart). This is used when a truth hurts or a joke hits too close to home.
Usage Notes
This is a neutral-register word suitable for almost any context where deep emotion is appropriate. Be careful not to use it for trivial matters to avoid sounding exaggerated.
Use it with '很'
Always add '很' to make it sound natural.
Examples
6分手以后，他非常伤心。
After the breakup, he was very sad.
A classic use for romantic heartbreak.
这个电影的结尾太伤心了。
The ending of this movie is too sad.
Used to describe a sad event or story.
我的猫丢了，我很伤心。
My cat is lost, I am very sad.
Expressing personal grief to a friend.
手机屏幕碎了，真让人伤心！
The phone screen broke, it's so heartbreaking!
Slightly dramatic/humorous use for a first-world problem.
别伤心了，我们再去买一个。
Don't be sad, we will go buy another one.
Used to offer comfort to someone else.
听到这个消息，我们感到很伤心。
We feel very saddened to hear this news.
Appropriate for expressing sympathy in a professional way.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank.
听到这个消息，他感到很_____。
The context implies bad news, so sad is the correct choice.
🎉 Score: /1
Visual Learning Aids
Sadness Intensity & Formality
Just a bit unhappy
不开心 (bù kāixīn)
Deeply sad or hurt
伤心 (shāngxīn)
Grieved or melancholy
悲痛 (bēitòng)
When to say 'Shāngxīn'
Relationship issues
Breakups or fights
Loss
Losing a pet or item
Media
Sad movies or books
Empathy
Hearing bad news
Practice Bank
1 exercises听到这个消息，他感到很_____。
The context implies bad news, so sad is the correct choice.
🎉 Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
1 questionsNo, it is for any deep sadness.
Related Phrases
难过
synonymsad
