Chinese word

伤感

Pronunciation

Pinyinshāng gǎn

Meaning

  • adjectivesentimental

Example

这首歌让我感到伤感。zhè shǒu gē ràng wǒ gǎn dào shāng gǎn

This song makes me feel sentimental.

Illustration for 伤感 (sentimental)

More examples

傍晚的街道显得格外伤感。bàng wǎn de jiē dào xiǎn de gé wài shāng gǎn

The street at dusk seemed especially sad.

Core concept

A gentle inward ache stirred by memory, parting, music, or another emotionally moving experience.

Common phrases

  • 伤感情调shāng gǎn qíng diào

    melancholy mood

  • 伤感的画面shāng gǎn de huà miàn

    melancholy scene

  • 伤感的结局shāng gǎn de jié jú

    melancholy ending

Similar words

感伤gǎn shāng: Feeling a wistful ache when memories or scenes stir deep emotion.
伤心shāng xīn: Feeling intense sadness when hurt, shocked, disappointed, or emotionally wounded.
难过nán guò: Feeling low and distressed because of something painful that happened or was said.

Definition in Chinese

对过去、离别或触动心绪的事情产生的淡淡悲伤或哀愁情绪。duì guò qù lí bié huò chù dòng xīn xù de shì qíng chǎn shēng de dàn dàn bēi shāng huò āi chóu qíng xù

Word origin

伤感 (shānggǎn, "wistful sadness") combines 伤 (shāng, "hurt") + 感 (gǎn, "feeling"), presenting emotional pain as an inner hurt rather than a physical injury.

Usage tips

  • It commonly describes the mood left by a song, film, memory, or farewell, and usually sounds lighter and more temporary than language for profound grief.

Other meanings

  • melancholicadjective
  • melancholynoun
  • sadadjective

Opposites

Word lists with this word