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A2 noun 10 min read

泪水

lèi shuǐ

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 泪水 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 泪水 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should know that '泪水' (lèishuǐ) means 'tears.' You can think of it as two simple words put together: '泪' (tear) and '水' (water). Even though '眼泪' (yǎnlèi) is used more often in basic conversation, you might see '泪水' in simple storybooks or hear it in songs. At this stage, just focus on recognizing the word. You can use it in very simple sentences like '我有泪水' (I have tears) or '他不流泪水' (He doesn't shed tears). Remember that the character '泪' has the water radical (three drops on the left), which tells you it has something to do with liquid. Learning this word helps you describe basic feelings of sadness or even physical things like getting something in your eye. It's a useful noun to add to your early vocabulary because it connects so clearly to the physical world and human emotions. Don't worry about the poetic nuances yet; just know it as the water that comes from your eyes when you cry.

At the A2 level, you are beginning to form more descriptive sentences. '泪水' (lèishuǐ) is a great word to use when you want to describe someone's emotional state. You should learn to pair it with common verbs like '流' (liú - to flow) and '擦' (cā - to wipe). For example, '她流下了泪水' (She shed tears). You can also start adding simple adjectives, such as '伤心的泪水' (sad tears). At this level, you might notice that '泪水' appears in more formal contexts or in slightly more emotional descriptions than '眼泪.' You should also learn the measure word '滴' (dī - drop), so you can say '一滴泪水' (a drop of tear). Understanding '泪水' allows you to talk about movies, books, and personal experiences with more detail. It's also important to know that '泪水' is a noun and cannot be used as a verb like 'cry' in English. You always need a verb to go with it. Practicing these simple combinations will help you move from basic survival Chinese to more expressive communication.

By the B1 level, you should be comfortable using '泪水' (lèishuǐ) in a variety of contexts, including metaphorical ones. You can use it to describe complex emotions like '感动的泪水' (tears of being moved) or '喜悦的泪水' (tears of joy). You should also be familiar with common phrases like '眼里满是泪水' (eyes full of tears) or '强忍泪水' (to force oneself to hold back tears). At this stage, you are expected to understand the difference in tone between '眼泪' and '泪水,' choosing '泪水' when you want to create a more vivid or slightly more formal image. You might also encounter the word in discussions about hard work and sacrifice, such as the phrase '汗水和泪水' (sweat and tears). This level requires you to use '泪水' in longer sentences and to understand its use in media like news reports or television dramas. You should also start to recognize related words like '泪痕' (tear stains) and '泪光' (the glint of tears), which add more nuance to your descriptions of emotional scenes.

At the B2 level, you should have a nuanced understanding of '泪水' (lèishuǐ) and be able to use it fluently in both written and spoken Chinese. You can use it to create vivid imagery, such as '泪水模糊了视线' (tears blurred the vision) or '泪水如泉涌' (tears flowing like a spring). You should be able to discuss the emotional impact of a story or a real-life event using '泪水' as a key descriptive element. At this level, you can also appreciate the word's role in literature and song lyrics, where it often symbolizes deep longing, regret, or intense passion. You should be comfortable with more advanced grammatical structures involving '泪水,' such as resultative complements (e.g., '哭得泪水都干了'). Furthermore, you should be able to distinguish '泪水' from other synonyms like '泪珠' (teardrops) or '泪水' with precision, choosing the word that best fits the register and atmosphere of your communication. Your use of '泪水' should reflect an understanding of Chinese cultural expressions of emotion, where visible tears are often a powerful signifier of sincerity and depth of feeling.

For C1 learners, '泪水' (lèishuǐ) is a word that can be used to explore philosophical and psychological themes. You should be able to use it in sophisticated essays or debates to describe the human condition, the nature of sorrow, or the catharsis of emotional release. You should also be familiar with a wide range of idioms and four-character expressions (chengyu) that incorporate '泪' or '泪水,' such as '泪如雨下' (tears falling like rain) or '欲哭无泪' (wanting to cry but having no tears). At this level, you should be sensitive to the rhythmic and aesthetic qualities of the word in classical and modern literature. You can analyze how '泪水' is used to build atmosphere or characterize a protagonist's inner world. Your spoken Chinese should use '泪水' naturally in high-level discussions, and your written Chinese should use it to provide rich, evocative detail. You should also understand the historical evolution of the character and its components, and how the concept of 'tears' has been treated in Chinese poetry throughout the ages. Mastery at this level means '泪水' is no longer just a vocabulary item, but a versatile tool for high-level expression.

At the C2 level, you possess a native-like command of '泪水' (lèishuǐ) and its various connotations. You can use the word with absolute precision in any context, from a highly formal academic paper to a nuanced literary critique. You are aware of the subtle differences in meaning and tone between '泪水' and its most obscure synonyms, and you can use them to achieve specific stylistic effects. You can effortlessly interpret and use complex metaphors and allegories involving '泪水' in both classical and contemporary Chinese literature. At this level, you might also explore the word's use in dialects or specific regional literatures. You can discuss the cultural semiotics of '泪水'—how the act of shedding tears is interpreted in different social strata and historical periods in China. Your mastery includes the ability to use '泪水' in creative writing to evoke powerful emotional responses in your readers. You are not only fluent in the word's usage but also deeply attuned to its cultural and emotional resonance within the vast landscape of the Chinese language and heritage.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

泪水 in 30 Seconds

A noun meaning 'tears,' composed of the characters for 'tear' and 'water.'
Commonly used in emotional, poetic, and descriptive contexts in Chinese.
Pairs with verbs like '流' (flow), '擦' (wipe), and measure word '滴' (drop).
Often used to describe intense emotions like joy, sadness, or deep gratitude.

The Chinese word 泪水 (lèishuǐ) is a poignant noun that literally translates to 'tear water.' While it is often used interchangeably with the more common term 眼泪 (yǎnlèi), it carries a slightly more descriptive and sometimes poetic weight. In Chinese linguistics, the character 泪 (lèi) combines the 'water' radical on the left with 'eye' on the right, making its meaning immediately apparent even to early learners. The addition of 水 (shuǐ) emphasizes the liquid nature of the tears, often used when describing tears that are physically visible, flowing, or saturating something.

Physical Manifestation: In a biological context, 泪水 refers to the saline solution secreted by the lacrimal glands. You might use this word in a medical or descriptive sense, such as when your eyes are watering from the wind or an onion.

因为风很大，他的眼里流出了泪水。 (Because the wind was strong, tears flowed from his eyes.)

Emotional Depth: When used in literature or daily conversation, 泪水 often evokes deep emotion. It is the word of choice for 'tears of joy' (喜悦的泪水) or 'tears of regret' (悔恨的泪水). It suggests a volume of emotion that has manifested into a visible liquid state.

Culturally, the expression of 泪水 in Chinese society has evolved. Historically, 'men do not easily shed tears' (男儿有泪不轻弹), but modern usage of 泪水 in media often highlights human vulnerability and empathy. Whether it is the 泪水 of a mother seeing her child after years apart or the 泪水 of a defeated athlete, the word captures the salt and the soul of the moment. It is also used metaphorically to describe hard work, as in 'sweat and tears' (汗水和泪水).

成功的背后充满了汗水和泪水。 (Behind success, it is full of sweat and tears.)

In terms of grammar, 泪水 is a standard noun. It is often paired with verbs like 流 (liú - to flow), 擦 (cā - to wipe), or 涌出 (yǒngchū - to well up). Unlike English where 'tear' can be a verb, in Chinese, you must use a verb-noun construction. You don't 'tear'; you 'flow tear-water.'

Common Collocations: 1. 满眶泪水 (Eyes full of tears); 2. 咸咸的泪水 (Salty tears); 3. 忍住泪水 (To hold back tears); 4. 擦干泪水 (To wipe dry the tears).

她忍住了泪水，没有在大家面前哭。 (She held back her tears and didn't cry in front of everyone.)

Using 泪水 (lèishuǐ) correctly involves understanding its role as a noun and the specific verbs that bring it to life in a sentence. Because it represents a liquid, the verbs associated with it often reflect movement or containment. Let's explore the various grammatical structures and contexts where this word shines.

Basic Subject-Verb-Object: In the simplest form, 泪水 acts as the object of a verb. Common verbs include 流 (liú, flow), 掉 (diào, drop), and 抹 (mǒ, wipe). For example: '他流下了泪水' (He shed tears).

听到这个好消息，她激动得流下了泪水。 (Hearing this good news, she shed tears of excitement.)

Descriptive Adjectives: To add flavor to your sentences, use adjectives before 泪水. You can describe the emotion behind the tears: 幸福的泪水 (tears of happiness), 痛苦的泪水 (tears of pain), or 感动的泪水 (tears of being moved).

Another common pattern involves the location of the tears, usually the eyes. Phrases like 眼里满是泪水 (eyes full of tears) or 泪水模糊了双眼 (tears blurred the eyes) are very common in descriptive writing. The latter is a classic 'literary' way to describe someone starting to cry or being unable to see clearly due to crying.

泪水模糊了他的视线，他看不清前方的路。 (Tears blurred his vision; he couldn't see the road ahead clearly.)

Action Toward Tears: We often talk about what we do with tears. You can 擦干 (cā gān, wipe dry) your tears, 强忍着 (qiáng rěn zhe, forcefully hold back) your tears, or 任凭泪水流淌 (rèn píng lèishuǐ liútǎng, let the tears flow freely).

In more complex sentences, 泪水 can be part of a resultative complement. For example, '哭到泪水都干了' (crying until the tears were all dry). This emphasizes the intensity of the action. It can also be used in metaphorical comparisons, such as '泪水像断了线的珍珠' (tears like pearls with a broken string), a common simile in Chinese literature used to describe someone crying profusely.

她的泪水像断了线的珍珠一样掉了下来。 (Her tears fell like pearls from a broken string.)

他眼角滑落了一滴泪水。 (A drop of tear slid down from the corner of his eye.)

Understanding when to use 泪水 (lèishuǐ) versus its synonyms requires looking at the social and media contexts where it frequently appears. This word is a staple of emotional storytelling, making it very common in certain genres of entertainment and specific life events.

Music and Mandopop: If you listen to Chinese pop songs (Mandopop), you will hear 泪水 constantly. It is favored by songwriters for its rhythmic qualities and its ability to evoke a vivid image of sadness or longing. Lyrics often mention 'hiding tears' (把泪水藏在心里) or 'tears falling in the rain' (泪水在雨中流).

歌词里写道：“我的泪水忍不住地流。” (The lyrics say: "My tears cannot help but flow.")

Movies and TV Dramas: In 'tear-jerker' movies (known as 催泪片 - cuīlèi piàn), the word is used both in the dialogue and the descriptions of the film. You'll hear characters say things like '别让泪水流下来' (Don't let the tears fall) in dramatic, high-stakes scenes.

In news reporting, 泪水 is used to humanize a story. Whether reporting on a natural disaster or a heartwarming reunion, journalists use this word to describe the emotional state of the people involved. It is more formal than '哭' (kū - to cry) and provides a specific visual of the grief or joy being experienced.

新闻报道了灾区人们眼里的泪水。 (The news reported on the tears in the eyes of the people in the disaster area.)

Daily Life and Parenting: Parents often use this word when comforting children. '快把泪水擦掉' (Quickly wipe away the tears) is a common phrase. It sounds slightly more gentle and nurturing than telling a child to just 'stop crying' (别哭了).

Finally, you will encounter 泪水 in literature and poetry. From ancient verses to modern web novels, it is used to describe the essence of sorrow. It is often paired with nature imagery—tears like rain, tears like a river, or tears cold as ice. This usage cements the word as not just a biological fluid, but a vessel for the human experience.

文学作品中常用泪水来表达深深的思念。 (Literary works often use tears to express deep longing.)

这款防水睫毛膏能让你远离泪水的困扰。 (This waterproof mascara can keep you away from the trouble of tears.)

While 泪水 (lèishuǐ) is a relatively straightforward word, there are several nuances that English speakers often miss. These errors usually stem from direct translation from English or confusing 泪水 with its more common cousin 眼泪 (yǎnlèi).

Confusing '泪水' with '哭': In English, 'cry' can be a noun or a verb. In Chinese, 泪水 is strictly a noun. You cannot say '他在泪水' (He is tearing/crying). You must say '他在流泪' (He is shedding tears) or '他在哭' (He is crying). Remember: '泪水' is the thing that comes out; '哭' is the action of crying.

错误：他泪水了。 (Incorrect: He 'tears-watered'.)
正确：他流下了泪水。 (Correct: He shed tears.)

Overusing '泪水' in Casual Speech: In daily, casual conversation, 眼泪 (yǎnlèi) is much more common. If you tell a friend 'I have tears in my eyes' using 泪水, it might sound a bit like you're reciting a poem or a movie script. For everyday situations, stick to '眼泪'. Use '泪水' when you want to be more descriptive or emotional.

Another common mistake is using the wrong measure word. Because tears are liquid drops, the correct measure word is 滴 (dī). Some learners mistakenly use '个' or '只'. Also, when talking about a stream of tears, you might use 行 (háng - line/row), as in '两行泪水' (two lines of tears).

她脸上挂着两行泪水。 (There were two streaks of tears on her face.)

Verb Mispairing: English speakers often say 'to cry tears.' In Chinese, you don't '哭泪水'. You 流 (liú, flow/shed) or 掉 (diào, drop) 泪水. Using '哭' as the verb for the noun '泪水' is a common 'Chinglish' error.

Lastly, be careful with the word 泪花 (lèihuā). While 泪水 refers to the actual liquid, 泪花 refers to the way light reflects in the tears in someone's eyes (literally 'tear flowers'). If someone's eyes are just starting to water, 泪花 is more appropriate than 泪水.

他眼里闪着泪花，但没有哭出来。 (Tears glistened in his eyes, but he didn't cry.)

请擦掉你脸上的泪水。 (Please wipe the tears off your face.)

To truly master 泪水 (lèishuǐ), you must see how it fits into the family of 'crying' words in Chinese. Each synonym has a specific 'flavor' and usage context.

眼泪 (yǎnlèi) vs. 泪水 (lèishuǐ): 眼泪 is the most neutral and common term. It is used 90% of the time in daily speech. 泪水 is more descriptive of the liquid itself and is often used in writing, lyrics, or when emphasizing the volume of tears.

他流了许多眼泪。 (He shed many tears - common/neutral)
他流了许多泪水。 (He shed much 'tear-water' - slightly more descriptive/poetic)

泪珠 (lèizhū) - Tear Drops: 珠 (zhū) means pearl or bead. 泪珠 describes the individual, pearl-like drops of tears. It is very visual and often used in literature to describe a beautiful or tragic scene.

泪痕 (lèihén) - Tear Stains: 痕 (hén) means trace or mark. 泪痕 refers to the dried tracks left on someone's cheeks after they have been crying. It implies that the crying happened in the past but the evidence remains.

她脸上还带着泪痕。 (There were still tear stains on her face.)

Then there is 泪光 (lèiguāng), which means 'the glint of tears.' This is used when someone's eyes are moist and reflecting light, but the tears haven't necessarily fallen yet. It often conveys a sense of hope or suppressed emotion. For example, '眼中闪烁着泪光' (Eyes shimmering with the glint of tears).

Comparison Table

眼泪 (yǎnlèi): General, everyday use.
泪水 (lèishuǐ): Descriptive, liquid-focused, emotional.
泪珠 (lèizhū): Individual drops, poetic/visual.
泪痕 (lèihén): The marks left after crying.
泪光 (lèiguāng): The reflection of light in moist eyes.

When choosing which word to use, consider your medium. If you are texting a friend about a sad movie, 眼泪 is perfect. If you are writing a blog post about a deeply moving experience, 泪水 or 泪光 will add the emotional texture you need. Using a variety of these terms shows a high level of Chinese proficiency and an appreciation for the language's descriptive power.

他的眼中闪着激动的泪光。 (His eyes flickered with the glint of excited tears.)

我们应该珍惜那些为你流过泪水的人。 (We should cherish those who have shed tears for us.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The simplified character 泪 is actually an ancient variant that was resurrected during the simplification process because it is a perfect ideogram—water + eye = tear.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /leɪ ʃweɪ/

US /leɪ ʃweɪ/

In Mandarin, syllables generally have equal weight, but the tone of 'lèi' makes it sound more forceful than 'shuǐ' in this compound.

Rhymes With

美 (měi) 嘴 (zuǐ) 腿 (tuǐ) 鬼 (guǐ) 北 (běi) 给 (gěi) 对 (duì) 位 (wèi)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'lèi' with a flat tone like 'lei' in 'leisure'.
Failing to perform the full dip of the third tone in 'shuǐ'.
Confusing the 'sh' in 'shuǐ' with a soft 's'.
Pronouncing 'lèi' as 'li' (lee).
Making the 'u' in 'shui' too long like 'shoo-ee'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

The characters are very logical and common in A2-level texts.

Writing 3/5

The character '泪' is easy, but '水' requires correct stroke order. '泪' is often confused with '目' or '日'.

Speaking 2/5

The tones are distinct (4th and 3rd), which helps in being understood.

Listening 2/5

Frequent in songs and dramas, making it easy to pick up.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

水 (water) 目 (eye/radical) 哭 (cry) 伤心 (sad) 流 (flow)

Learn Next

感动 (moved) 幸福 (happy) 擦 (wipe) 模糊 (blur) 视线 (vision)

Advanced

潸然 (tearfully) 婆娑 (blurred/dancing) 干涸 (dried up) 宣泄 (catharsis) 沧桑 (vicissitudes)

Grammar to Know

Resultative Complements with '流'

流下 (liú xià) - to flow down; 流出 (liú chū) - to flow out.

The use of '得' for degree

他哭得泪水都干了。 (He cried to the point that his tears were dry.)

Measure words for liquids

一滴泪水 (one drop of tear); 两行泪水 (two lines of tears).

Noun modification with '的'

感动的泪水 (tears of being moved).

Verb-Object constructions

流泪 (liú lèi) is a VO verb; you can insert modifiers like 流了很多泪.

Examples by Level

我看见了泪水。

I saw tears.

Subject + Verb + Object.

他没有泪水。

He has no tears.

Negative '没有' before the noun.

泪水是咸的。

Tears are salty.

Noun + 是 + Adjective.

这是谁的泪水？

Whose tears are these?

Interrogative sentence.

她的眼里有泪水。

There are tears in her eyes.

Location '眼里' + 有 + Noun.

不要流泪水。

Don't shed tears.

Imperative '不要' + Verb + Noun.

泪水流了下来。

Tears flowed down.

Noun + Verb + Directional complement.

我有许多泪水。

I have many tears.

Quantity '许多' before the noun.

他擦掉了脸上的泪水。

He wiped away the tears on his face.

Verb '擦掉' + Object.

这是开心的泪水。

These are happy tears.

Adjective + 的 + Noun.

她流下了感动的泪水。

She shed tears of being moved.

Resultative '流下' + Adjective + Noun.

一滴泪水掉在了书上。

A drop of tear fell on the book.

Measure word '一滴' + Noun.

他的眼里充满了泪水。

His eyes were filled with tears.

Verb '充满' + Object.

我们一起流下了泪水。

We shed tears together.

Adverb '一起' + Verb + Noun.

别让泪水弄湿了衣服。

Don't let the tears wet your clothes.

Causative '让' + Object + Verb.

我能看到你眼里的泪水。

I can see the tears in your eyes.

Modal verb '能' + Verb + Object.

她强忍着泪水，不让自己哭出来。

She forced herself to hold back tears, not letting herself cry out.

Verb '强忍着' + Noun.

成功的道路上充满了汗水和泪水。

The road to success is filled with sweat and tears.

Metaphorical use in a common phrase.

泪水模糊了她的双眼，她看不清信上的字。

Tears blurred her eyes, and she couldn't see the words on the letter clearly.

Subject '泪水' + Verb '模糊' + Object.

看到孩子平安回来，母亲流下了放心的泪水。

Seeing the child return safely, the mother shed tears of relief.

Descriptive adjective '放心的' before '泪水'.

他试图掩饰眼里的泪水，但还是被发现了。

He tried to hide the tears in his eyes, but he was still found out.

Verb '掩饰' + Object.

这些泪水代表了她多年的委屈。

These tears represent her years of grievance.

Verb '代表' + Object.

电影的结局感人至深，观众席上到处是泪水。

The end of the movie was deeply moving, and there were tears everywhere in the audience.

Existential sentence structure.

他抹去泪水，重新露出了微笑。

He wiped away the tears and showed a smile again.

Sequential actions.

泪水像断了线的珍珠一样不断地滚落。

Tears kept rolling down like pearls with a broken string.

Simile using '像...一样'.

那段充满泪水的往事，他再也不想提起了。

He never wants to mention that past full of tears again.

Relative clause modifying '往事'.

在他最困难的时候，是朋友的鼓励让他止住了泪水。

During his most difficult time, it was his friend's encouragement that made him stop his tears.

Emphatic '是...让' structure.

这首歌唤起了我心中压抑已久的泪水。

This song evoked the tears I had suppressed for a long time in my heart.

Verb '唤起' + complex object.

泪水浸透了枕头，她整夜未眠。

Tears soaked the pillow; she didn't sleep all night.

Verb '浸透' + Object.

即使面对失败，他眼里的泪水也透着倔强。

Even in the face of failure, the tears in his eyes showed stubbornness.

Concessive '即使...也' structure.

在这场感人的婚礼上，新郎流下了幸福的泪水。

At this moving wedding, the groom shed tears of happiness.

Locative phrase + Subject + Verb + Object.

他那充满泪水的诉说，让在场的每一个人都心碎了。

His tearful narration broke the hearts of everyone present.

Noun phrase as subject.

文学作品中，泪水往往是情感宣泄的最高形式。

In literary works, tears are often the highest form of emotional catharsis.

Abstract noun usage.

他那深邃的目光里，似乎隐藏着不为人知的泪水。

In his deep gaze, there seemed to be hidden, unknown tears.

Adverb '似乎' + Verb '隐藏'.

泪水洗净了心灵的尘埃，让他重新找到了方向。

Tears washed away the dust of the soul, allowing him to find his direction again.

Personification of '泪水'.

在这部悲剧中，泪水不仅仅是悲哀，更是一种反抗。

In this tragedy, tears are not just sorrow, but also a form of resistance.

Correlative '不仅仅是...更是'.

他将满腔的愤懑化作了无声的泪水。

He turned his full breast of resentment into silent tears.

Structure '将...化作'.

那是饱经风霜后，历经苦难才流出的泪水。

Those were tears shed after being weather-beaten and going through hardships.

Complex attributive clauses.

即便泪水早已干涸，那份痛楚依然清晰可见。

Even though the tears had long since dried up, that pain was still clearly visible.

Concessive '即便...依然'.

诗人在诗中寄托了对故乡的无尽泪水。

The poet entrusted his endless tears for his hometown in the poem.

Verb '寄托' + Object.

泪水之于情感，犹若春雨之于大地，是生命力的另一种昭示。

Tears are to emotion what spring rain is to the earth—another manifestation of vitality.

Analogy '...之于...犹若...之于'.

他笔下的泪水，往往承载着厚重的历史沧桑感。

The tears under his pen often carry a heavy sense of historical vicissitudes.

Metonymy '笔下' (under the pen).

那些被时光掩埋的泪水，终究会在某个瞬间奔涌而出。

Those tears buried by time will eventually gush out at a certain moment.

Passive structure '被...掩埋'.

泪水的咸涩中，交织着对命运的无奈与对理想的执着。

In the saltiness of tears, the helplessness toward fate and the persistence toward ideals are interwoven.

Abstract noun phrase as subject.

他以一种近乎冷酷的姿态，审视着世间的泪水与欢笑。

With a gesture bordering on coldness, he examined the tears and laughter of the world.

Adverbial of manner '以...姿态'.

在这场博弈中，泪水成了最廉价也最沉重的筹码。

In this gamble, tears became the cheapest yet heaviest bargaining chip.

Metaphorical use in a formal context.

纵使泪水模糊了前路，他依然步履坚定地走向远方。

Even though tears blurred the road ahead, he still walked toward the distance with firm steps.

Correlative '纵使...依然'.

泪水的流淌，有时是灵魂在进行一场无声的告解。

The flowing of tears is sometimes the soul performing a silent confession.

Noun phrase '泪水的流淌' as subject.

Common Collocations

流下泪水

擦干泪水

满眶泪水

忍住泪水

幸福的泪水

咸咸的泪水

泪水模糊

一滴泪水

感动的泪水

泪水交织

Common Phrases

泪水如泉涌

— Tears flow like a spring. Used to describe crying very hard.

听到噩耗，她的泪水如泉涌般流出。

泪水夺眶而出

— Tears burst out of the eyes. Describes a sudden start of crying.

那一刻，泪水夺眶而出。

化作泪水

— To turn into tears. Often used for emotions transforming into crying.

所有的委屈都化作了泪水。

伴随着泪水

— Accompanied by tears. Used for actions done while crying.

他在泪水中完成了演讲。

止不住的泪水

— Unstoppable tears. Describes uncontrollable crying.

她有着止不住的泪水。

悔恨的泪水

— Tears of regret. Shed when someone feels sorry for their actions.

他流下了悔恨的泪水。

泪水涟涟

— Tears flowing continuously. A descriptive literary phrase.

她哭得泪水涟涟。

洗去泪水

— To wash away tears. Often used metaphorically for comfort.

时间会洗去所有的泪水。

满脸泪水

— Face full of tears. Describes the physical state of a person's face.

小男孩满脸泪水地跑过来。

泪水汪汪

— Eyes brimming with tears. Used to describe the look of someone about to cry.

她泪水汪汪地看着我。

Often Confused With

泪水 vs 累 (lèi)

Same pronunciation but different tone (4th tone for both, but different characters). 累 means tired, 泪 means tear.

泪水 vs 类 (lèi)

Same pronunciation (4th tone), means 'type' or 'category'.

泪水 vs 内 (nèi)

Similar sound, means 'inside'. Be careful with the initial 'l' vs 'n'.

Idioms & Expressions

"泪如雨下"

— Tears fall like rain. Describes extremely heavy crying.

看到家乡的惨状，他泪如雨下。

Literary

"欲哭无泪"

— Wanting to cry but having no tears. Describes a state of extreme grief or frustration beyond crying.

面对这样的结果，我真是欲哭无泪。

Common

"泪流满面"

— One's face is covered with tears.

他听完故事，早已泪流满面。

Neutral

"潸然泪下"

— Tears falling tricklingly. Describes a sudden, quiet emotional response.

听了他的经历，我不禁潸然泪下。

Formal

"老泪纵横"

— An old person's tears crossing their face. Specifically for the elderly.

老华侨回到祖国，激动得老泪纵横。

Literary

"眼泪汪汪"

— Brimming with tears. Often used for children or pets.

狗狗眼泪汪汪地看着主人。

Informal

"热泪盈眶"

— Eyes filled with warm tears. Usually suggests being deeply moved or inspired.

看到国旗升起，他热泪盈眶。

Formal

"泪眼婆娑"

— Eyes blurred by tears. Describes the hazy vision of someone crying.

她泪眼婆娑，看不清他的背影。

Literary

"悲欢离合"

— The joys and sorrows, partings and reunions of life (often involves tears).

人生充满了悲欢离合。

Common

"吞声忍泪"

— To swallow one's sobs and hold back tears. Describes suppressed grief.

她吞声忍泪，不敢哭出声来。

Literary

Easily Confused

泪水 vs 眼泪 (yǎnlèi)

They both mean tears.

'眼泪' is the standard, everyday word. '泪水' focuses on the liquid and is more descriptive/poetic.

他流了很多眼泪。 (Natural) / 他流下了晶莹的泪水。 (Poetic)

泪水 vs 泪花 (lèihuā)

Both involve tears.

'泪花' refers specifically to the glint of light in moist eyes, not necessarily flowing tears.

他眼里闪着泪花。

泪水 vs 泪珠 (lèizhū)

Both refer to the liquid.

'泪珠' emphasizes the shape—individual drops like pearls.

一颗颗泪珠落了下来。

泪水 vs 汗水 (hànshuǐ)

Both are 'water' from the body.

'汗水' is sweat; '泪水' is tears. They are often used together to mean hard work.

汗水和泪水换来了成功。

泪水 vs 口水 (kǒushuǐ)

Both are 'water' from the body.

'口水' is saliva/spit.

流口水 (drooling).

Sentence Patterns

S + 有 + 泪水

他眼里有泪水。

S + 流下了 + Adj + 的 + 泪水

她流下了开心的泪水。

S + 强忍住 + 泪水

我强忍住泪水，不让他看见。

泪水 + 模糊了 + S's + 视线/双眼

泪水模糊了她的双眼。

S + 哭到 + 泪水 + 都 + V + 了

他哭到泪水都干了。

像...一样的 + 泪水

像断了线的珍珠一样的泪水。

将 + Emotion + 化作 + 泪水

他将满腔悲愤化作了无声的泪水。

泪水 + 之于 + A + 犹若 + B + 之于 + C

泪水之于情感，犹若春雨之于大地。

Word Family

Nouns

眼泪 (yǎnlèi) - tears

泪珠 (lèizhū) - teardrops

泪痕 (lèihén) - tear stains

泪腺 (lèixiàn) - lacrimal gland

Verbs

流泪 (liú lèi) - to shed tears

落泪 (luò lèi) - to fall (tears)

催泪 (cuī lèi) - to induce tears

Adjectives

泪汪汪 (lèiwāngwāng) - brimming with tears

泪巴巴 (lèibābā) - tearful (often used for children)

哭泣 (kūqì) - to weep

悲伤 (bēishāng) - sad

感动 (gǎndòng) - moved

盐 (yán) - salt

眼睛 (yǎnjing) - eye

How to Use It

frequency

High in written and artistic contexts; Moderate-High in spoken contexts.

Common Mistakes

他泪水了。 → 他流泪了。
You cannot use '泪水' as a verb. Use '流泪' or '流下了泪水'.
一个泪水 → 一滴泪水
The correct measure word for tears is '滴' (drop), not '个'.
眼泪水 → 眼泪 OR 泪水
While '眼泪水' is sometimes heard in dialects, it's redundant in standard Mandarin. Use one or the other.
哭泪水 → 流泪水
In English we say 'cry tears,' but in Chinese we 'flow' (流) tears.
泪水很累 → 流泪很累
Confusing '泪' (tear) with '累' (tired) due to similar pronunciation.

Tips

Verb Pairing

Always pair '泪水' with a movement verb. You don't just 'have' tears; they 'flow' (流), 'fall' (掉), or 'well up' (涌).

Coloring your language

Add adjectives like '晶莹' (jīngyíng - sparkling) or '咸咸' (xiánxián - salty) to make your descriptions of tears more vivid.

Sweat and Tears

Remember the phrase '汗水和泪水'. It's a powerful way to describe the effort put into a goal.

Character Accuracy

Don't forget the three drops of water on the left of '泪'. Without them, the character doesn't exist!

Song Lyrics

Look for '泪水' in Mandopop ballads. It's almost always there, usually rhyming with words ending in '-ui' or '-ei'.

Tone Practice

Practice the 4th-3rd tone transition. It should feel like a sharp drop followed by a scoop.

Context Clues

If you see '泪', look for nearby words like '眼' (eye) or '哭' (cry) to confirm the context.

Emotional Range

Use '泪水' for both positive and negative deep emotions. It's not just for sadness!

Radical Power

The 'eye' radical 目 is inside '泪'. This is a great way to remember the meaning visually.

Wiping Tears

The verb for wiping tears is '擦' (cā). '擦干泪水' is a very standard phrase for 'dry your tears'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Look at the character 泪: On the left is the 'water' radical (氵), and on the right is the 'eye' (目). Water + Eye = Tear. It's one of the most logical characters in Chinese!

Visual Association

Imagine a blue eye (目) with three droplets of water (氵) splashing out from the left side. That is the character 泪.

Word Web

水 (water) 目 (eye) 哭 (cry) 咸 (salty) 湿 (wet) 伤心 (sad) 感动 (moved) 擦 (wipe)

Challenge

Try to write a three-sentence story using 泪水, 眼睛 (eye), and 感动 (moved). For example: 那个故事很感人。我的眼睛里有了泪水。我擦干了泪水。

Word Origin

The character 泪 (lèi) is a phonosemantic compound. The left part 氵 represents water, and the right part 目 represents the eye. Together, they literally mean 'water from the eye.' In traditional Chinese, the character was written as 淚, with 戾 (lì) providing the sound. The simplified version 泪 is a very logical combination of radicals.

Original meaning: Water secreted from the eyes due to emotion or irritation.

Sino-Tibetan

Cultural Context

While crying is more socially acceptable now, in professional settings in China, showing '泪水' might still be seen as a lack of self-control, depending on the generation.

English speakers often use 'tears' as a verb (e.g., 'he tears up'), but in Chinese, '泪水' is always a noun. The emotional weight of '泪水' in Chinese pop music is very similar to the use of 'tears' in English ballads.

Lin Daiyu from 'Dream of the Red Chamber' (repaying debts with tears). The song '泪海' (Sea of Tears) by Valen Hsu. The movie 'Together' (和你在一起) which is a famous 'tear-jerker'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Watching a sad movie

太感人了
流了好多泪水
忍不住想哭
准备好纸巾

A wedding ceremony

幸福的泪水
热泪盈眶
场面很温馨
新娘哭了

Physical irritation (onions/wind)

被风吹得流泪水
切洋葱流泪
眼睛不舒服
流眼泪了

A sports victory

激动的泪水
赢了以后哭了
汗水与泪水
为他感到骄傲

Saying goodbye at the airport

别流泪水
我会想你的
擦干眼泪
依依不舍

Conversation Starters

"你看那部电影的时候流泪水了吗？ (Did you shed tears when watching that movie?)"

"为什么洋葱会让人流泪水？ (Why do onions make people shed tears?)"

"你最后一次流下幸福的泪水是什么时候？ (When was the last time you shed happy tears?)"

"听到这个好消息，你会流泪水吗？ (Will you shed tears hearing this good news?)"

"你觉得男人流泪水是软弱的表现吗？ (Do you think men shedding tears is a sign of weakness?)"

Journal Prompts

写一次你流下泪水的经历，是因为开心还是难过？ (Write about an experience where you shed tears; was it because of happiness or sadness?)

讨论一下‘汗水和泪水’对于成功的意义。 (Discuss the significance of 'sweat and tears' for success.)

描述一个让你热泪盈眶的电影场景。 (Describe a movie scene that made you well up with tears.)

如果泪水有颜色，你觉得悲伤的泪水是什么颜色的？ (If tears had colors, what color do you think sad tears would be?)

为什么人类需要流泪水？谈谈你的看法。 (Why do humans need to shed tears? Talk about your views.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, '泪水' is used for any emotion that causes crying, including joy (喜悦的泪水), being moved (感动的泪水), or even anger and frustration. It is a neutral noun for the physical liquid.

No, '泪水' is strictly a noun. You must use it with a verb like '流' (liú - flow) or '掉' (diào - drop). To say 'to cry,' use the verb '哭' (kū).

'泪' is the root character and can be used in compounds like '流泪'. '泪水' is the full noun. In many cases, they are interchangeable, but '泪水' sounds more complete as a standalone noun.

The most common measure word is '滴' (dī) for a single drop. For a stream or streak, you can use '行' (háng). Example: 一滴泪水, 两行泪水.

It is slightly more formal or 'literary' than '眼泪', but it is still very common in standard speech. It's not overly stuffy.

Yes, you can use it to describe an animal's eyes watering, although '眼泪' is more common for pets.

You can say '喜悦的泪水' (xǐyuè de lèishuǐ) or '幸福的泪水' (xìngfú de lèishuǐ).

Yes, it can refer to the physical fluid, but '泪液' (lèiyè - tear fluid) is the more technical term used by doctors.

Because tears are composed mostly of water. This is a common pattern in Chinese: 汗水 (sweat), 泪水 (tears), 墨水 (ink).

Yes: '我的泪水流下来了' (Wǒ de lèishuǐ liú xiàlái le).