痛心

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Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The word 痛心 (tòngxīn) literally combines 'pain' () and 'heart' () to express a deep emotional pain or heartbreak. It is used to describe feelings of intense sorrow, grief, or distress, often in response to tragic news or events.

Common Contexts

Painful news about loss, death, or serious misfortune often triggers the use of 痛心. It conveys a strong emotional reaction beyond simple sadness, implying a heartache or anguish.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 感到痛心 (gǎndào tòngxīn): to feel heartbroken
  • 痛心 (tòngxīn jí shǒu): an idiom meaning to be deeply grieved and angry
  • 痛心消息 (tòngxīn de xiāoxi): heartbreaking news

Usage Notes

Painful emotions expressed by 痛心 are usually personal or collective, often related to tragic events. It is more formal and literary than everyday words for sadness. Avoid confusing 痛心 with physical pain alone; it specifically refers to emotional pain.

Common Confusion

Do not confuse 痛心 with , which also means heartache but can be used more flexibly for both emotional and physical heart pain. 痛心 emphasizes the emotional suffering aspect more strongly.

Example Sentences

Hearing this news, I felt very heartbroken.

His passing made everyone feel deeply saddened.

Seeing the environment destroyed, I felt heartbroken and furious.