Definition
泪 (lèi) is a single-character noun for 'tears', but it's more literary/formal and often appears in compound words (e.g., 泪眼) or set phrases. In everyday speech, 眼泪 (yǎnlèi) is the standard word; 泪水 (lèishuǐ) emphasizes individual teardrops or a larger quantity. All three translate to 'tears', but differ in register and common usage.
noun
tears
Easily confused
- 瞒mánlook-aliketo conceal (something from someone), to keep someone in the dark
- 雷léisound-alikethunder
- 汤tānglook-alikesoup
- 累lèisound-aliketired (adjective)
- 类lèisound-alike(noun) category, kind, type
- 勒lēisound-aliketo tie or strap tightly; to rein in (a horse)
Examples
- 泪。Tā de liǎn shàng dōu shì lèi.His face was covered in tears.
- 泪。Tā cā gān le zìjǐ de lèi.She dried her own tears.
- ，泪。Tīng dào zhège xiāoxi, tā liú xià le jīdòng de lèi.Hearing this news, he shed tears of excitement.
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