泪痕 (lèi hén) — tear stains; tear-streak marks (on the face) | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

泪痕 refers to the visible streaks or marks left by tears on the face after crying — a concrete, physical trace rather than the act of crying itself.

noun

tear stainstear-streak marks (on the face)

Examples

泪痕。
Tā liǎn shàng de lèi hén hái méi gān.
The tear stains on her face are still not dry.
泪痕。
Tā yòng shǒu cā diào le lèi hén.
He wiped away the tear stains with his hand.
泪痕。
Zhào piàn lǐ tā de lèi hén hěn qīng chǔ.
In the photo, her tear streaks are very clear.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

Tears leave marks, making 泪痕 tear stains or streaks.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 淚; 泪 is its simplified writing.

Meaning part形符xíngfú

Sound part声符shēngfú

戾

戾lì淚lèi

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

The traditional form 淚 uses 水 (water) and 戾 for sound; this describes 淚, not 泪.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

疒艮痕

Meaning part形符xíngfú

疒疒nè

Sound part声符shēngfú

艮

艮gèn痕hén

Close in sound todayThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

痕 pairs 疒 with 艮: 疒 gives the sense, and 艮 gives the sound.

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