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悲欢离合 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
悲欢离合bēihuānlíhéjoys and sorrowsHSK 7, unknown, 34 strokes, rank #93199, Very Hard
悲欢离合bēihuānlíhépartings and reunionsHSK 7, unknown, 34 strokes, rank #93199, Very Hard
悲欢离合bēihuānlíhéthe vicissitudes of lifeHSK 7, unknown, 34 strokes, rank #93199, Very Hard
bēihuānlíhé(bei1huan1li2he2)bei huan li he T1
  1. 1joys and sorrows
  2. 2partings and reunions
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March 24, 2026

悲欢离合(悲歡離合)bēihuānlíhé(bei1huan1li2he2)

悲欢离合 is an idiomatic expression that encapsulates the range of human emotions and experiences, including both joys and sorrows, as well as the inevitable partings and reunions that occur throughout life. It reflects the cyclical nature of human experiences, making it a poignant reminder of life's transient moments.

Strokes34Frequency#93199DifficultyVery Hard
Cultural note

In Chinese culture, the concept of 悲欢离合 resonates deeply, often reflected in traditional poetry and literature, which explore the themes of love and loss, such as in the works of famous poets like Li Bai and Du Fu. These themes are also prevalent in Chinese New Year celebrations, where reunions and farewells are common.

Memory tip

Imagine a pendulum swinging between 'joy' (欢) and 'sorrow' (悲), while also depicting two people parting (离) and then reuniting (合). Visualize this pendulum as a heartbeat, emphasizing that both joy and sorrow are essential to the rhythm of life.

Meanings of 悲欢离合

bēihuānlíhé(bei1huan1li2he2)
1joys and sorrows
2partings and reunions
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About 悲欢离合

悲欢离合Simplified
悲歡離合Traditional
34Strokes
—Radical
#—Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7AdvancedTOCFLL5CEFRC2

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Podcast: 悲欢离合

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AI study notes for 悲欢离合

Usage Notes

This idiom is often used in literary and poetic contexts, making it more formal. A common mistake is using it in casual conversations, where simpler expressions would be more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone; using it in the wrong emotional context can come off as insincere.

HSK Study Tips

Though this idiom is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it connects well with HSK 3 and 4 themes that focus on emotions and relationships. Students should practice using it in sentences that express personal experiences of joy and sorrow.

Common Mistakes

Learners often mistakenly use 悲欢离合 to describe only negative experiences, overlooking its positive aspects. A wrong example would be '我只感到悲欢离合,' which could be corrected to '我经历了悲欢离合的生活,' to acknowledge both sides.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 悲欢离合

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Idiom spotlight: 悲欢离合

Chengyu origin story
Literal meaning:sad joy separation union

Component characters

悲bēisad
HSK 712 strokes心
View full entry
欢huānjoyous
HSK 16 strokes欠
View full entry
离líto leave
HSK 210 strokes禸
View full entry
合gě100 ml
HSK 56 strokes口
View full entry

How to say joys and sorrows in Chinese

“joys and sorrows” in Chinese is悲欢离合bēihuānlíhé

悲欢离合 is an idiomatic expression that encapsulates the range of human emotions and experiences, including both joys and sorrows, as well as the inevitable partings and reunions that occur throughout life. It reflects the cyclical nature of human experiences, making it a poignant reminder of life's transient moments.

When to use 悲欢离合

This idiom is often used in literary and poetic contexts, making it more formal. A common mistake is using it in casual conversations, where simpler expressions would be more appropriate. Be mindful of the tone; using it in the wrong emotional context can come off as insincere.

What learners get wrong

Learners often mistakenly use 悲欢离合 to describe only negative experiences, overlooking its positive aspects. A wrong example would be '我只感到悲欢离合,' which could be corrected to '我经历了悲欢离合的生活,' to acknowledge both sides.

Write 悲欢离合

悲
欢
离
合

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Frequently asked questions about 悲欢离合

You can say, '人生就是悲欢离合的结合,' which means 'Life is a combination of joys and sorrows.'

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