Definition
This idiom literally means 'not able to cry or laugh' — you are caught between amusement and embarrassment, unsure whether to laugh or cry. It describes a situation that is both funny and awkward, not a state of confusion (不知所措).
phrase
to not know whether to laugh or cry (idiom)both funny and embarrassing
Examples
- 哭笑不得。Tā chū de zhège zhǔyi 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 kāfēi sǎ zài lǎobǎn shēnshang, lǎobǎn de fǎnyìng 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 zìjǐ xiǎo shíhou de zhàopiàn, wǒ yǒudiǎn kū xiào bù dé.Seeing my childhood photos, I felt a little like laughing and crying at the same time.
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