Top five set phrases for sad

Being sad is one of our emotions. The degree of sadness can be different. These five set phrases have the strongest degree for sadness. 




痛不欲生 [tòng bú yù shēng] be overwhelmed with sorrow

的丈夫去世后,她痛不欲生。
She cried her heart out after her husband had passed away.

心如刀割 [xīn rú dāo gē] feel as if a knife were piercing one’s hear

他走了以后,她一直坐在家里,心如刀割。
Since he left, she’s been sitting at home eating her heart out.

肝肠寸断[gān cháng cùn duàn] overwhelmed by grief; sorrow-stricken

他妻子逝世使他肝肠寸断。
The death of his wife broke him completely.

悲痛欲绝[bēi tòng yù jué] be extremely grieved

听到儿子在事故中丧生的消息,他悲痛欲绝。
With grief at the news of his son’s death in an accident.

悲不自胜[bēi bú zì shèng] be overcome with grief

我相信她比我还悲不自胜。
I believe her heart broke even more deeply than mine.