Meanings of 恸
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Podcast: 恸
Podcast: 恸
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AI study notes for 恸
悲 (bēi) vs 哀 (āi) — use 恸 (tòng) for intense grief or mourning, while 悲 (bēi) is more general sadness and 哀 (āi) often carries a tone of lamentation.
Be mindful that 恸 is more formal and is often used in literary or solemn contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with related words like 痛 (tòng, pain), which is more about physical suffering. It's important to use 恸 in contexts related to mourning or deep sadness.
Although 恸 is not included in the HSK vocabulary list, understanding it can enhance your emotional vocabulary at higher levels. Focus on its usage in literature and poetry, as this will help reinforce its meaning and context with other emotionally charged words you may encounter.
Learners often confuse 恸 with 痛 due to their similar pronunciations and appearances. For instance, saying '我感到痛' (I feel grief) is incorrect; it should be '我感到恸' when referring to grief specifically.
Pronunciation of 恸
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Etymology of 恸
Moving 动 and sad 忄; 动 also provides the pronunciation
Origin
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Decomposition of 恸
Parts
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How to say sadness, grief; to mourn, to be moved in Chinese
“sadness, grief; to mourn, to be moved” in Chinese is恸
The character 恸 (tòng) expresses profound sadness or grief, often associated with mourning a loss. It is commonly used to describe deep emotional responses to death or tragedy, particularly in literature and poetry. This term conveys a sense of being deeply moved or affected by sorrowful events.
When to use 恸
Be mindful that 恸 is more formal and is often used in literary or solemn contexts. Common mistakes include confusing it with related words like 痛 (tòng, pain), which is more about physical suffering. It's important to use 恸 in contexts related to mourning or deep sadness.
恸 or something close to it
悲 (bēi) vs 哀 (āi) — use 恸 (tòng) for intense grief or mourning, while 悲 (bēi) is more general sadness and 哀 (āi) often carries a tone of lamentation.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 恸 with 痛 due to their similar pronunciations and appearances. For instance, saying '我感到痛' (I feel grief) is incorrect; it should be '我感到恸' when referring to grief specifically.
Write 恸
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Grammar patterns of 恸
恸 carries one core meaning. Below you'll find the patterns that show how it combines with other words, plus example sentences pulled directly from native usage.
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他们经过时，响起了令人哀怜的____哭。
As they pass by, a piteous wailing is heard.
Example sentences for 恸 (1)
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Word Family of 恸
Words with 恸
What does 悲恸 mean?
Frequently asked questions about 恸
You might say '我为他的去世感到恸痛' (I feel grief for his passing).
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