哭笑不得 (kū xiào bù dé) — to not know whether to laugh or cry (idiom); both funny and embarrassing
Definition
Idiom for a situation that is so awkward or absurd you don't know whether to laugh or cry. 不知所措 focuses on being at a loss for what to do; 哭笑不得 is more about the mixed funny/embarrassing feeling itself.
phrase
to not know whether to laugh or cry (idiom)both funny and embarrassing
Examples
- 哭笑不得。Tā chū de zhè ge zhǔ yì zhēn ràng rén kū xiào bù dé.The idea he came up with really leaves people unsure whether to laugh or cry.
- ，哭笑不得。Nǐ bǎ kā fēi sǎ zài lǎo bǎn shēn shàng, lǎo bǎn de fǎn yìng zhēn shì kū xiào bù dé.Your spilling coffee on the boss, and his reaction — it was truly both funny and awkward.
- ，哭笑不得。Kàn dào zì jǐ xiǎo shí hou de zhào piàn, wǒ yǒu diǎn kū xiào bù dé.Seeing my childhood photos, I felt a little like laughing and crying at the same time.
Appears in
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