Chinese word

泪水

Pronunciation

Pinyinlèi shuǐ

Meaning

  • nountears

Example

宝宝哭了，脸上有泪水。báo bǎo kū le liǎn shàng yǒu lèi shuǐ

The baby cried, and there were tears on its face.

Illustration for 泪水 (tears)

More examples

毕业典礼上，他强忍着泪水走上台。bì yè dián lǐ shàng tā qiáng rěn zhe lèi shuǐ zǒu shàng tái

At the graduation ceremony, he held back tears as he walked onto the stage.

Core concept

Water-like fluid released by the eyes, appearing as drops during pain, strong feeling, or irritation.

Common phrases

  • 强忍泪水qiáng rěn lèi shuǐ

    hold back tears

  • 泪水涟涟lèi shuǐ lián lián

    tears welling up

Similar words

眼泪yǎn lèi: Clear liquid that comes from the eyes because of feelings, pain, or irritation.

Definition in Chinese

由眼睛分泌的透明液体，常因情绪、疼痛或刺激而流出。yóu yǎn jīng fēn mì de tòu míng yè tǐ cháng yīn qíng xù téng tòng huò cì jī ér liú chū

Word origin

泪水 (lèishuǐ, "tears") pairs 泪 (lèi, "tear") with 水 (shuǐ, "water"), linking the eye's secretion to the familiar image of flowing liquid.

Usage tips

  • The word does not by itself signal sadness, because everyday descriptions also use it for tears caused by smoke, wind, or other irritation.

Other meanings

  • tearnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word