A2 Collocation Neutral 3 min de lectura

掉泪

To shed tears

Literalmente: Drop / Fall (掉) + Tears (泪)

Use `掉泪` to describe the specific, visible moment someone starts crying from emotion or pain.

En 15 segundos

  • A visual way to describe the physical act of crying.
  • Combines 'drop' and 'tears' for a literal, clear meaning.
  • Used in everyday conversations to describe emotional or painful moments.

Significado

This phrase describes the physical act of tears falling from your eyes. It is a very visual way to say someone is crying or 'dropping' tears due to sadness or pain.

Ejemplos clave

3 de 6
1

Watching a sad movie with a friend

这部电影太感人了,我都要掉泪了。

This movie is so touching, I'm about to shed tears.

💭
2

Comforting a child who fell

别掉泪了,宝贝,一点都不疼。

Don't cry, baby, it doesn't hurt at all.

🤝
3

Talking about a tough breakup

提到他的前任,他忍不住掉了泪。

When mentioning his ex, he couldn't help but shed tears.

😊
🌍

Contexto cultural

Traditionally, Chinese culture values emotional restraint, especially for men, leading to the famous idiom 'Men bleed but do not shed tears.' However, in modern literature and pop culture, 'shedding tears' is used to signify deep, authentic sincerity and a 'soft heart.' It is a key element in the 'sentimental' (文艺) aesthetic popular among young people today.

💡

The 'Eye' Factor

You can say `掉泪` or `掉眼泪`. Adding `眼` (eye) makes it sound a bit more natural in spoken Mandarin, like adding a little extra detail to the picture.

⚠️

Don't use for 'Shouting'

Remember, `掉泪` is about the tears, not the noise. If someone is screaming or wailing but their eyes are dry, this phrase doesn't fit!

En 15 segundos

  • A visual way to describe the physical act of crying.
  • Combines 'drop' and 'tears' for a literal, clear meaning.
  • Used in everyday conversations to describe emotional or painful moments.

What It Means

掉泪 is a simple, vivid way to describe crying. Think of it as the moment a tear actually leaves your eye. It feels more descriptive than the general word for crying, . It focuses on the physical action of the tears falling. You use it when someone is visibly moved or hurt. It is a common, everyday expression that everyone understands.

How To Use It

You usually use it with a person as the subject. For example, 'He started to 掉泪.' You can also use it to describe yourself. It often appears with the word (to flow) in similar contexts. However, 掉泪 feels a bit more sudden or specific. It is a verb-object construction. You can add words in the middle, like 掉眼泪 (dropping eye-tears). It is very flexible in daily conversation.

When To Use It

Use it when you see someone getting emotional. Maybe a friend is watching a sad movie. Perhaps a child fell down and is about to cry. It works perfectly when describing a reaction to bad news. It is also great for storytelling or describing a scene. You can use it when texting a friend about a touching video. It feels natural and warm in most casual settings.

When NOT To Use It

Avoid using it in very formal legal or medical reports. In those cases, use more technical terms for 'weeping' or 'lacrimation.' Do not use it if someone is just 'tearing up' but no tears fall. If someone is wailing loudly without many tears, 嚎啕大哭 is better. It is not a 'tough' phrase. If you want to sound very stoic, you might avoid it. Also, do not use it for 'crying' in the sense of shouting.

Cultural Background

In Chinese culture, showing emotion can be a sensitive topic. There is an old saying: 'Men do not easily 掉泪.' This reflects traditional views on masculinity and strength. However, in modern times, expressing feelings is much more accepted. 掉泪 is often used in Mandopop lyrics to pull at heartstrings. It evokes a sense of vulnerability and sincerity. It is a very human, relatable action across all provinces.

Common Variations

The most common variation is 掉眼泪. Adding (eye) makes it slightly more formal or complete. You might also hear 流泪, which means 'flowing tears.' 流泪 sounds a bit more poetic or literary. In some dialects, people might use different verbs for 'drop.' But in standard Mandarin, 掉泪 is your go-to phrase. It is simple, effective, and carries a lot of weight.

Notas de uso

This is a neutral-to-informal phrase. It's perfectly safe for daily use with friends, family, and colleagues. It focuses on the visual aspect of crying rather than the sound.

💡

The 'Eye' Factor

You can say `掉泪` or `掉眼泪`. Adding `眼` (eye) makes it sound a bit more natural in spoken Mandarin, like adding a little extra detail to the picture.

⚠️

Don't use for 'Shouting'

Remember, `掉泪` is about the tears, not the noise. If someone is screaming or wailing but their eyes are dry, this phrase doesn't fit!

💬

The 'Soft Heart' Secret

If you say someone is `爱掉泪` (loves to shed tears), you're often implying they have a 'soft heart' (心软) and are easily moved by others' suffering.

Ejemplos

6
#1 Watching a sad movie with a friend
💭

这部电影太感人了,我都要掉泪了。

This movie is so touching, I'm about to shed tears.

Expressing a personal emotional reaction to media.

#2 Comforting a child who fell
🤝

别掉泪了,宝贝,一点都不疼。

Don't cry, baby, it doesn't hurt at all.

Used to soothe someone in a gentle way.

#3 Talking about a tough breakup
😊

提到他的前任,他忍不住掉了泪。

When mentioning his ex, he couldn't help but shed tears.

Describing an involuntary emotional response.

#4 A boss being surprisingly moved at a retirement party
💼

看到大家的礼物,经理也掉泪了。

Seeing everyone's gifts, the manager also shed tears.

Shows a human side in a professional setting.

#5 Cutting onions in the kitchen
😄

切洋葱总是让我掉泪。

Cutting onions always makes me shed tears.

A literal, non-emotional use of the phrase.

#6 Texting a friend about a touching story
😊

刚才那个故事真让人掉泪。

That story just now really makes one shed tears.

Used to describe the effect of a story or event.

Ponte a prueba

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about being moved.

这个消息太突然了,她听了以后立刻就___了。

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a

`掉泪` (shed tears) fits the context of reacting to news, while `掉钱` (drop money) and `掉头` (turn around) do not make sense emotionally.

Which phrase describes the physical act of tears falling?

小明不小心摔倒了,疼得直___。

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: a

`掉泪` describes crying from pain. `掉队` means to fall behind a group, and `掉色` means to lose color/fade.

🎉 Puntuación: /2

Ayudas visuales

Formality of Crying Expressions

Informal

General crying, often loud.

哭 (kū)

Neutral

The act of tears falling.

掉泪 (diào lèi)

Formal

Literary or poetic weeping.

流泪 (liú lèi)

Very Formal

Solemn mourning or wailing.

垂泪 (chuí lèi)

When to say '掉泪'

掉泪
🎬

Sad Movies

Watching a tragedy

😫

Physical Pain

Stubbing your toe

💍

Touching Moments

A wedding speech

🧅

Irritants

Cutting onions

✈️

Goodbyes

At the airport

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, is the general verb for crying (including the sound), while 掉泪 specifically describes the physical act of tears falling. You can without many tears, but you can't 掉泪 without them.

Absolutely! You can say 激动得掉泪 (shedding tears from excitement/emotion). It just describes the tears, regardless of whether the cause is sad or happy.

It is neutral, so it's not 'bad' for business, but it's very personal. If a colleague is moved by a presentation, you could say 他感动得掉泪了.

You can say 别掉泪了 (bié diào lèi le). It sounds a bit more descriptive and sometimes gentler than just saying 别哭了.

They are essentially the same. 掉眼泪 is just the full version (drop eye-tears), which is very common in casual speech.

It's mostly used for humans. While you could technically use it for an animal, it might sound like you are personifying them significantly.

No, it is a standard collocation. It's used by everyone from children to the elderly and is found in both speech and writing.

Yes, 流泪 (flowing tears) sounds slightly more poetic or formal. You'll see 流泪 more often in song lyrics or novels, while 掉泪 is very common in spoken stories.

If the tears haven't actually 'dropped' yet, you might use 眼眶红了 (eyes turned red) or 含着泪 (holding tears). 掉泪 implies they are actually falling.

A common mistake is using it to mean 'sad' in general. Remember, it's a physical action. Don't say 'I am very shed tears'—say 'I am so sad I shed tears' (我伤心得掉泪了).

Frases relacionadas

哭泣

To weep/cry (more formal/literary)

流泪

To shed tears (emphasizes the flow)

眼泪

Tears (the noun)

泪流满面

Face covered in tears (idiom)

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