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March 24, 2026
泪(淚)lèi(lei4)
泪 (lèi) refers to tears, the liquid that flows from the eyes when someone is crying. It can signify emotional states such as sadness, joy, or relief, and is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In literature, the word can evoke deep feelings and connections to human experiences.
Strokes8Radical氵Frequency#8402DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, tears are often seen as a symbol of deep emotional expression, reflecting the value placed on sincerity and emotional honesty in personal relationships. Traditional poetry frequently uses 泪 to convey profound feelings.
Memory Tip
Picture a 'lay' of soft clouds that seem to drip with moisture, representing tears falling from the eyes. The '氵' radical suggests water, while the '目' component hints at the eye, making it easier to remember that 泪 means 'tears'.
Meanings of 泪
lèi(lei4)
1tears
2tears; to cry, to weep
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 泪
泪Simplified
淚Traditional
8Strokes
氵Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8402Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 泪
Podcast: 泪
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AI Study Notes for 泪
Quick Contrast
眼泪 (yǎnlèi) refers specifically to tears as they come from the eyes, while 泪 (lèi) can be used more broadly in various contexts.
Usage Notes
泪 is typically used in more emotional contexts, so it's essential to match the tone of conversation when using it. Common collocations include 泪水 (lèishuǐ, 'tear water') and 流泪 (liúlèi, 'to shed tears'). Avoid using it in overly casual settings where a lighter term might be more appropriate.
HSK Study Tips
While 泪 is not in the HSK vocabulary lists, it relates to other emotional words like 哭 (kū, 'to cry') and 喜悦 (xǐyuè, 'joy'). Focus on recognizing its use in emotional expressions and practice associating it with events that typically evoke tears.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 泪 with 哭 (kū), which means 'to cry'. For example, saying '我流哭' (wǒ liú kū, 'I shed cry') is incorrect; it should be '我流泪' (wǒ liú lèi, 'I shed tears').
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 泪
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Simplified form of 淚. Tears are drops of water (氵) coming from the eye (目).
1The giveawayWater 氵 from the eyes 目
2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 泪? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1
Character Formation Type
What type of character formation is 泪?
Decomposition of 泪
IDS Structure⿰氵目
泪Full Character
=
氵shui3
left
目mu4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Identify the Components
Which of these is a component of 泪?
How to say tears in Chinese
“tears” in Chinese is泪lèi
泪 (lèi) refers to tears, the liquid that flows from the eyes when someone is crying. It can signify emotional states such as sadness, joy, or relief, and is often used in both literal and metaphorical contexts. In literature, the word can evoke deep feelings and connections to human experiences.
When to use 泪
泪 is typically used in more emotional contexts, so it's essential to match the tone of conversation when using it. Common collocations include 泪水 (lèishuǐ, 'tear water') and 流泪 (liúlèi, 'to shed tears'). Avoid using it in overly casual settings where a lighter term might be more appropriate.
泪 or something close to it
眼泪 (yǎnlèi) refers specifically to tears as they come from the eyes, while 泪 (lèi) can be used more broadly in various contexts.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 泪 with 哭 (kū), which means 'to cry'. For example, saying '我流哭' (wǒ liú kū, 'I shed cry') is incorrect; it should be '我流泪' (wǒ liú lèi, 'I shed tears').
Write 泪
泪
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Grammar Patterns of 泪
泪 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
