When you see someone who looks really sad or worried, you can describe their face as 愁容满面 (chóu róng mǎn miàn).
Think of it like this: 愁 (chóu) means worry or sorrow, and 容 (róng) means appearance or look. 满 (mǎn) means full, and 面 (miàn) means face.
So, literally, it's a 'worry-look full-face'.
It’s a vivid way to say someone has a very sad or worried expression.
When someone is 愁容满面, it means their face clearly shows a lot of sadness or worry. Think of it as a face that's completely covered with a sorrowful expression.
It’s often used to describe someone who is deeply troubled or upset about something. You might see this expression if someone has received bad news or is going through a difficult time.
For example, if a student fails an important exam, they might walk around 愁容满面. Or, if a character in a movie loses a loved one, their face would likely be 愁容满面.
It’s a very visual way to describe someone's emotional state, emphasizing that their sadness is clearly visible on their face.
愁容满面 in 30 Seconds
- Describes a sad or worried face.
- Literally 'sorrowful expression fills the face'.
- Often used to describe someone going through a difficult time.
§ Similar Expressions for Sadness
When you're trying to describe someone looking sad or worried in Chinese, '愁容满面' (chóu róng mǎn miàn) is a great choice. But, like in English, there are several ways to express similar ideas. Knowing the nuances will help you pick the perfect phrase for any situation.
- DEFINITION
- A face full of sorrow; a worried look.
Let's look at some other common ways to talk about someone looking unhappy and how they compare to '愁容满面'.
§ '愁眉苦脸' (chóu méi kǔ liǎn) – Frowning and Looking Distressed
This is probably the closest alternative to '愁容满面'. '愁眉苦脸' literally means 'frowning brows and bitter face'. It describes someone whose face clearly shows their sadness, worry, or distress. It's often used when someone is visibly upset or has a long face.
他今天愁眉苦脸的，是不是有什么心事？
Tā jīntiān chóu méi kǔ liǎn de, shì bù shì yǒu shénme xīnshì?
He looks distressed today, does he have something on his mind?
§ '一脸愁容' (yī liǎn chóu róng) – A Face Full of Worry
This phrase is a bit more direct and less idiomatic than '愁容满面' or '愁眉苦脸'. It literally means 'a face full of worry/sorrow'. It's very similar in meaning to '愁容满面' and can often be used in the same contexts. The key difference is that '愁容满面' is a four-character idiom (成语 chéngyǔ), which sometimes carries a slightly more formal or literary feel, though it's still common in everyday speech.
听到这个消息，她立刻一脸愁容。
Hēndào zhège xiāoxī, tā lìkè yī liǎn chóu róng.
Hearing this news, she immediately had a worried look on her face.
§ '闷闷不乐' (mèn mèn bù lè) – Down in the Dumps
While '愁容满面' describes someone's *appearance*, '闷闷不乐' describes their *state of mind* or *mood*. It means to be unhappy, gloomy, or depressed. Someone who is '闷闷不乐' might also have '愁容满面', but not necessarily. You can be '闷闷不乐' without explicitly showing it on your face, though it often leads to a sad expression.
他看起来闷闷不乐，是不是发生了什么事？
Tā kàn qǐlái mèn mèn bù lè, shì bù shì fāshēngle shénme shì?
He looks down in the dumps, did something happen?
§ When to Use '愁容满面'
Use '愁容满面' when you want to vividly describe a person's face as being visibly consumed by sorrow or worry. It paints a clear picture of someone looking deeply unhappy or distressed. It's a strong, evocative phrase.
- Use it when the sadness or worry is *evident on their entire face*.
- It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but remember it's an idiom, which adds a bit of flair.
- It works well when you want to convey a sense of persistent or profound sadness rather than just a fleeting moment of unhappiness.
In summary, while there are several ways to express sadness, '愁容满面' is excellent for highlighting a face *full* of sorrow. Choose it when you want to emphasize the visible signs of deep worry or unhappiness on someone's entire countenance.
Fun Fact
This idiom vividly paints a picture of someone deeply troubled, where their sadness is clearly visible on their face.
Pronunciation Guide
- Incorrect tone on 'chóu' (should be second tone, rising)
- Incorrect tone on 'róng' (should be second tone, rising)
- Incorrect tone on 'mǎn' (should be third tone, dipping then rising)
- Incorrect tone on 'miàn' (should be fourth tone, falling)
Examples by Level
他因为生意失败，愁容满面地坐在办公室里。
He sat in the office, his face full of sorrow, because his business failed.
听到这个不幸的消息，她立刻愁容满面，眼泪止不住地流。
Upon hearing the unfortunate news, she immediately had a worried look, and tears streamed down her face uncontrollably.
考试结果出来后，许多学生都愁容满面，显然对成绩不满意。
After the exam results were released, many students had worried looks, clearly dissatisfied with their scores.
尽管努力掩饰，但她愁容满面的样子还是出卖了她内心的不安。
Despite trying to hide it, her worried face still betrayed her inner uneasiness.
面对如此巨大的挑战，即便是平时乐观的他，也愁容满面。
Facing such a huge challenge, even he, who was usually optimistic, had a worried look.
自从家里出了变故，她的母亲就一直愁容满面，很少见到笑容。
Ever since the family had an accident, her mother has always had a face full of sorrow, rarely seen smiling.
他愁容满面地向我讲述了他最近遇到的困境。
He recounted his recent difficulties to me with a worried look.
医生走出手术室时，愁容满面，家属们的心都提到了嗓子眼。
When the doctor walked out of the operating room with a worried look, the family's hearts were in their throats.
Grammar Patterns
Sentence Patterns
subject + 愁容满面
她愁容满面地走进来。(She walked in with a worried look on her face.)
因为...，所以 + subject + 愁容满面
因为他考试没及格，所以愁容满面。(Because he failed the exam, he had a worried look.)
subject + 总是 + 愁容满面
他最近总是愁容满面，不知道发生了什么。(He always looks worried recently, I don't know what happened.)
每当...，就 + subject + 愁容满面
每当提到她的过去，她就愁容满面。(Whenever her past is mentioned, she gets a worried look.)
subject + 愁容满面地 + verb
他愁容满面地坐着，一句话也没说。(He sat there with a worried look, not saying a word.)
让/使 + object + 愁容满面
这个问题让他愁容满面。(This problem made him look worried.)
即使...，也 + subject + 愁容满面
即使是好消息，也无法让她摆脱愁容满面。(Even good news couldn't make her get rid of her worried look.)
虽然...，但是 + subject + 依然 + 愁容满面
虽然得到了帮助，但是他依然愁容满面。(Although he got help, he still had a worried look.)
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Tips
Literal Meaning Breakdown
Break down 愁容满面 (chóu róng mǎn miàn) literally: 愁 (chóu) means sorrow or worry. 容 (róng) refers to facial expression or appearance. 满 (mǎn) means full. 面 (miàn) means face. So, a face full of sorrow.
Common Usage Context
This phrase is often used to describe someone who is visibly upset or worried. Think of situations like losing a job, receiving bad news, or facing a difficult challenge. It's about a clear, observable state of distress on someone's face.
Opposite Concept
Consider its opposite: 笑容满面 (xiào róng mǎn miàn), which means a face full of smiles. Learning antonyms can help solidify your understanding of both terms. This helps you to think about different emotions.
Visualize the Expression
When you encounter 愁容满面, try to picture a person with a frowning brow, downcast eyes, and a generally sad or worried expression. Visualizing helps with memory retention of the meaning.
Practice with Sentences
Create simple sentences. For example: 他愁容满面地回来了。(Tā chóu róng mǎn miàn de huí lái le.) - He came back with a worried look on his face. This helps you to use the phrase in a context.
Listen for It in Media
Pay attention to Chinese dramas, movies, or news reports. When characters are sad or distressed, you might hear this phrase used to describe their expression. This is good for your listening skills.
Don't Confuse with General Sadness
While related to sadness, 愁容满面 specifically refers to the outward appearance of sorrow on the face, not just the feeling itself. It's about how someone looks.
Use with Adverbs
You can add adverbs for emphasis. For example: 他一直愁容满面。(Tā yī zhí chóu róng mǎn miàn.) - He has been constantly worried/sad-faced. This adds nuance to the description.
Not for Minor Discomfort
This phrase describes significant sorrow or worry, not just a slight frown or minor annoyance. Don't use it for small unhappiness. It's for more intense emotions.
Figurative Extension
Sometimes, though less common for learners, it can describe things metaphorically, like a dreary landscape. However, for A2, stick to its use for human faces. Focus on the literal meaning first.
Word Origin
愁 (chóu) means 'sorrow' or 'worry', 容 (róng) refers to 'countenance' or 'expression', 满 (mǎn) means 'full', and 面 (miàn) means 'face'.
Original meaning: The phrase literally translates to 'sorrowful expression fills the face'.
Sino-Tibetan, Sinitic, ChineseCultural Context
In Chinese culture, emotions are often expressed subtly, but '愁容满面' describes a state where sorrow is so profound it cannot be hidden. This expression is commonly used in literature and daily conversation to emphasize visible distress, offering a clear image of someone overwhelmed by worry or sadness.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Seeing a friend who just received bad news.
- 他愁容满面地走进来。
- Tā chóuróngmǎnmiàn de zǒu jìnlái.
- He walked in with a face full of sorrow.
Describing someone who is deeply troubled by a problem.
- 她最近总是愁容满面。
- Tā zuìjìn zǒng shì chóuróngmǎnmiàn.
- She always has a worried look recently.
Observing someone who is stressed about work or studies.
- 考试前他愁容满面。
- Kǎoshì qián tā chóuróngmǎnmiàn.
- Before the exam, he had a worried look.
When someone is clearly upset but trying to hide it.
- 尽管他努力微笑，但还是愁容满面。
- Jǐnguǎn tā nǔlì wēixiào, dàn háishì chóuróngmǎnmiàn.
- Although he tried to smile, he still had a face full of sorrow.
In a narrative describing a character's emotional state.
- 她愁容满面地坐在角落里。
- Tā chóuróngmǎnmiàn de zuò zài jiǎoluò lǐ.
- She sat in the corner with a face full of sorrow.
Conversation Starters
"你最近是不是愁容满面？发生了什么事？ (Nǐ zuìjìn shì bú shì chóuróngmǎnmiàn? Fāshēng le shénme shì?) - Have you been looking worried lately? What happened?"
"看到他愁容满面，你想对他说什么？ (Kàndào tā chóuróngmǎnmiàn, nǐ xiǎng duì tā shuō shénme?) - Seeing him look so worried, what would you want to say to him?"
"什么时候你会愁容满面？ (Shénme shíhou nǐ huì chóuróngmǎnmiàn?) - When do you get a worried look?"
"你觉得人们愁容满面的时候，通常是因为什么？ (Nǐ juédé rénmen chóuróngmǎnmiàn de shíhou, tōngcháng shì yīn wéi shénme?) - What do you think usually makes people look worried?"
"如果你的朋友愁容满面，你会怎么安慰他们？ (Rúguǒ nǐ de péngyǒu chóuróngmǎnmiàn, nǐ huì zěnme ānwèi tāmen?) - If your friend looks worried, how would you comfort them?"
Journal Prompts
描述一次你看到某人愁容满面的经历，当时发生了什么？你有什么感受？ (Miáoshù yī cì nǐ kàndào mǒurén chóuróngmǎnmiàn de jīnglì, dāngshí fāshēng le shénme? Nǐ yǒu shénme gǎnshòu?) - Describe a time you saw someone with a worried look. What happened? How did you feel?
当你自己感到愁容满面时，你通常会怎么做来改善心情？ (Dāng nǐ zìjǐ gǎndào chóuróngmǎnmiàn shí, nǐ tōngcháng huì zěnme zuò lái gǎishàn xīnqíng?) - When you yourself feel worried, what do you usually do to improve your mood?
写一篇短文，描述一个角色因为某个难题而愁容满面的故事。 (Xiě yī piān duǎnwén, miáoshù yī gè juésè yīn wéi mǒu gè nán tí ér chóuróngmǎnmiàn de gùshì.) - Write a short passage describing a character's story where they have a worried look because of a difficult problem.
你认为在日常生活中，人们多久会愁容满面一次？为什么？ (Nǐ rènwéi zài rìcháng shēnghuó zhōng, rénmen duōjiǔ huì chóuróngmǎnmiàn yī cì? Wèishénme?) - How often do you think people have a worried look in daily life? Why?
回忆一下你最近一次看到亲近的人愁容满面，你当时有没有尝试帮助他们？结果如何？ (Huíyì yī xià nǐ zuìjìn yī cì kàndào qīnjìn de rén chóuróngmǎnmiàn, nǐ dāngshí yǒu méiyǒu chángshì bāngzhù tāmen? Jiéguǒ rúhé?) - Recall the last time you saw a close person with a worried look. Did you try to help them at that time? What was the outcome?
Test Yourself 66 questions
Which word describes someone who is happy?
高兴 (gāoxìng) means happy. The others mean sad, angry, and tired.
If your friend looks sad, what might you say?
This is the most appropriate question to ask someone who looks sad.
Which of these words means 'face'?
脸 (liǎn) means face. 手 (shǒu) is hand, 脚 (jiǎo) is foot, and 头 (tóu) is head.
If someone has a '愁容满面' (chóuróngmǎnmiàn), they are probably smiling.
愁容满面 (chóuróngmǎnmiàn) means a face full of sorrow, so they would not be smiling.
When you see someone with a '愁容满面' (chóuróngmǎnmiàn), it means they are very happy.
愁容满面 (chóuróngmǎnmiàn) means a face full of sorrow, indicating sadness, not happiness.
You might see '愁容满面' (chóuróngmǎnmiàn) on someone who just lost their favorite toy.
Losing a favorite toy would likely make someone sad, resulting in a face full of sorrow.
This sentence describes someone looking at another person who has a worried expression. The structure is 'Subject + verb + object (with descriptor)'.
This sentence describes a person's constant state of having a worried look. '总是' means 'always'.
This is an imperative sentence, telling someone not to have a worried look and to be happy. '不要' means 'don't'.
她看起来很______, 是不是遇到什么不开心的事了？
The sentence indicates someone looks unhappy, so '愁容满面' (a face full of sorrow) is the most suitable option. '喜笑颜开' means beaming with smiles, '精神抖擞' means full of vigor, and '容光焕发' means radiant.
当他得知考试没通过时，立刻_______。
Failing an exam would typically cause sadness, so '愁容满面' (a worried look) fits the context. The other options express happiness or contentment.
她_______地坐在那里，一言不发，让所有人都很担心。
Sitting silently and making others worried suggests a sad or worried expression. '愁容满面' (a face full of sorrow) is the correct choice. The other options imply happiness or energy.
看到朋友愁容满面，你应该去安慰他。
If a friend has a worried or sorrowful look, it's appropriate to offer comfort. So, the statement is true.
“愁容满面”通常用来形容一个人非常开心。
“愁容满面” means a face full of sorrow or a worried look, which is the opposite of being very happy. So, the statement is false.
一个愁容满面的人可能会常常大声笑。
Someone with a sorrowful or worried look is unlikely to be laughing loudly. This statement is false.
She has been looking worried recently, has she encountered some difficulties?
Seeing him walk in with a worried look, I knew something was wrong.
Don't look so worried, let's think of a way to solve the problem together.
Read this aloud:
他愁容满面地告诉我，他的宠物生病了。
Focus: 愁容满面 (chóu róng mǎn miàn)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
你为什么愁容满面？发生了什么事？
Focus: 为什么 (wèi shén me)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
希望她的愁容满面能很快消失。
Focus: 消失 (xiāo shī)
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
她接到坏消息后，立刻变得__________。
坏消息通常会让人感到悲伤或担忧，因此“愁容满面”是唯一符合语境的选项。
考试不及格让他__________，不知道该如何向父母交代。
考试不及格是令人沮丧的事情，所以“愁容满面”最能表达他的心情。
看着窗外的大雨，他__________，担心农作物会被淹没。
担心农作物被淹没是令人担忧的情况，“愁容满面”准确地描述了他的表情。
项目进展不顺利，会议室里的每个人都__________。
项目进展不顺利会导致团队成员感到压力和担忧，因此“愁容满面”是合适的描述。
老王因为家人生病，最近总是__________。
家人生病是令人担忧的事情，所以老王“愁容满面”是很自然的反应。
听到自己的申请被拒，小李顿时__________。
申请被拒通常会让人感到沮丧和失望，所以“愁容满面”是符合情境的。
她一直_______，不知道出了什么事。
The sentence implies a negative emotional state, making '愁容满面' (a face full of sorrow) the most suitable choice.
面试失败后，他_______地走出了办公室。
Failing an interview typically leads to sadness or worry, which '愁容满面' accurately describes.
看到孩子生病，妈妈_______。
A mother seeing her child sick would be worried and sad, fitting the meaning of '愁容满面'.
他因为工作顺利而愁容满面。
'愁容满面' means a worried or sorrowful look. Work going smoothly would likely lead to happiness, not sadness.
考试考砸了，小明愁容满面地回了家。
Failing an exam is a common reason for someone to look worried or sad, which is what '愁容满面' describes.
参加婚礼的人们个个愁容满面。
Weddings are typically joyful occasions, so people attending would not usually have '愁容满面' (a face full of sorrow).
Describe a time you or someone you know had a '愁容满面' expression and what caused it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
昨天我看到我的朋友愁容满面，因为他考试没及格。他辛辛苦苦准备了很久，所以他感到非常沮丧和失望。我安慰了他，希望他下次能考好。
Imagine a character in a story who is often '愁容满面'. Write a short paragraph describing their personality and circumstances.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
李阿姨总是愁容满面，因为她一个人抚养两个孩子，生活压力很大。她的丈夫多年前去世了，她不得不身兼数职来维持生计。尽管生活艰辛，她依然坚韧不拔，但脸上的愁容却从未散去。
Write a short dialogue between two people discussing someone who is '愁容满面'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
A: 你有没有发现最近小王总是愁容满面？ B: 是啊，我注意到了。他是不是遇到什么麻烦了？ A: 我也觉得，可能是工作上的事情吧。真想知道他怎么了。
根据短文，张经理为什么愁容满面？
Read this passage:
会议室里，张经理愁容满面地看着报表，公司的业绩持续下滑，让他忧心忡忡。他知道必须尽快找到解决办法，否则后果不堪设想。旁边的同事们也都感受到了这种沉重的气氛。
根据短文，张经理为什么愁容满面？
短文明确指出“公司的业绩持续下滑，让他忧心忡忡”，所以张经理愁容满面是因为公司业绩不好。
短文明确指出“公司的业绩持续下滑，让他忧心忡忡”，所以张经理愁容满面是因为公司业绩不好。
小李愁容满面是由于什么原因？
Read this passage:
自从失业后，小李每天都是愁容满面，对未来充满了迷茫。他尝试了各种方法找工作，但都无济于事。家人看在眼里，急在心里，却也爱莫能助。
小李愁容满面是由于什么原因？
短文说明“自从失业后，小李每天都是愁容满面，对未来充满了迷茫”，这直接指出了原因。
短文说明“自从失业后，小李每天都是愁容满面，对未来充满了迷茫”，这直接指出了原因。
家人为什么对奶奶感到心疼？
Read this passage:
奶奶最近总是愁容满面，原来是她的老伴生病住院了。她整日守在病床前，饭也吃不下，觉也睡不好。看到她这样，我们都非常心疼。
家人为什么对奶奶感到心疼？
短文提到“奶奶最近总是愁容满面，原来是她的老伴生病住院了”，这导致了奶奶的伤心和家人的心疼。
短文提到“奶奶最近总是愁容满面，原来是她的老伴生病住院了”，这导致了奶奶的伤心和家人的心疼。
This sentence describes someone trying to be optimistic but their worried expression reveals their inner turmoil.
This sentence illustrates the common reaction of business owners during an economic crisis – a worried look due to uncertainty.
This sentence describes the worried expression of a doctor after surgery, indicating a serious situation, which in turn causes anxiety for the family.
她看起来很疲惫，脸上挂着一丝难以言喻的___。
这句话描述了她疲惫且难以言喻的表情，因此“愁容”最符合语境。
面对接二连三的打击，他不禁___。
“接二连三的打击”表明他遇到了很多不好的事情，因此“愁容满面”是符合情境的。
考试失利后，小明___地走出了教室。
考试失利会让人感到难过和沮丧，所以“愁容满面”最能表达小明的心情。
听到这个不幸的消息，所有人都___。
不幸的消息会让人感到悲伤，所以“愁容满面”是恰当的描述。
最近公司业绩下滑，老板每天都___。
公司业绩下滑会导致老板担忧，因此“愁容满面”是符合情境的。
望着窗外淅沥的雨水，她不禁___。
阴雨天气常常会让人心情低落，因此“愁容满面”符合语境。
Which of the following situations would most likely cause someone to have a '愁容满面'?
'愁容满面' describes a face full of sorrow or a worried look, which is consistent with the sadness of losing a pet.
If someone is '愁容满面', what emotion are they most likely experiencing?
The phrase '愁容满面' directly translates to 'a face full of sorrow,' indicating sadness.
Which of these phrases is the opposite of '愁容满面'?
'愁容满面' means a face full of sorrow, so '喜笑颜开' (beaming with smiles) is its direct opposite, expressing happiness.
Someone who is '愁容满面' is probably in a good mood.
'愁容满面' means a face full of sorrow, indicating a bad or worried mood, not a good one.
Seeing someone '愁容满面' might make you want to ask if they are okay.
A '愁容满面' suggests distress or sadness, making it natural to inquire about their well-being.
You would typically see a '愁容满面' on someone who just received good news.
'愁容满面' implies sorrow or worry, which is inconsistent with receiving good news. Good news typically brings happiness.
This sentence describes someone looking out at the rain with a worried expression. The subject '他' (he/him) is followed by the idiom '愁容满面' (a worried look), which describes his state. Then comes the verb '看着' (looking at), followed by '窗外 的 雨' (the rain outside the window), which is the object of his gaze.
This sentence explains that upon hearing bad news, she immediately showed a worried expression. '听完 这个 坏消息' (after hearing this bad news) sets the context. '她' (she/her) is the subject, followed by '立刻' (immediately), emphasizing the swift change in her demeanor to '愁容满面' (a worried look).
This sentence describes someone entering a room with a worried expression. '他' (he/him) is the subject. '愁容满面' (a worried look) describes his state as he performs the action. '走 进 房间 里' (walked into the room) indicates the action and destination.
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Summary
愁容满面 describes a face unmistakably showing sadness or worry.
- Describes a sad or worried face.
- Literally 'sorrowful expression fills the face'.
- Often used to describe someone going through a difficult time.
Literal Meaning Breakdown
Break down 愁容满面 (chóu róng mǎn miàn) literally: 愁 (chóu) means sorrow or worry. 容 (róng) refers to facial expression or appearance. 满 (mǎn) means full. 面 (miàn) means face. So, a face full of sorrow.
Common Usage Context
This phrase is often used to describe someone who is visibly upset or worried. Think of situations like losing a job, receiving bad news, or facing a difficult challenge. It's about a clear, observable state of distress on someone's face.
Opposite Concept
Consider its opposite: 笑容满面 (xiào róng mǎn miàn), which means a face full of smiles. Learning antonyms can help solidify your understanding of both terms. This helps you to think about different emotions.
Visualize the Expression
When you encounter 愁容满面, try to picture a person with a frowning brow, downcast eyes, and a generally sad or worried expression. Visualizing helps with memory retention of the meaning.
Related Content
More emotions words
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.
