Chinese phrases
How to say sad in Chinese
Sad in Chinese is 难过 (nán guò): 我很难过, “I’m sad.” For a hurt that comes from another person, such as a breakup, people say 伤心 (shāng xīn).
难过
sad; upset
Ways to say sad
难过
Everydaysad; upset
Sad about something that happened: bad news, a goodbye, a pet that is ill.
伤心
Everydayhurt; heartbroken
Stronger than 难过, and often caused by a person: a breakup, a friend who let you down, harsh words.
不开心
Everydayunhappy
A soft, common way to say you are down. Children and adults use it, about a big or a small thing.
心情不好
Everydayin a bad mood
It gives no reason, so it works when you don’t want to explain: 我今天心情不好.
郁闷
With friendsfrustrated and down
Fed up and gloomy because something went wrong: a bad grade, a cancelled trip, rain on your day off.
难受
Everydayfeeling awful
A heavy feeling inside, or feeling ill in your body. 心里难受 is the sad meaning.
悲伤
Writtensorrowful
In songs, books and the news. People rarely use it about their own day.
What to say to a sad friend
怎么了
what’s wrong?
The first question, in person or in a message.
别难过
don’t be sad
Gentle and common, after bad news.
会好起来的
it will get better
For a longer sadness: a breakup, a loss, a hard month.
有我在
I’m here for you
Warm, to a close friend or a partner.
Common mistakes
Saying 我是难过
Chinese adjectives need no 是. Say 我很难过. The 很 here is not a strong “very.”
Mixing up 难过 and 难受
难过 is about feelings. If your stomach hurts, say 我不舒服 or 我很难受. 我很难过 sounds as if you got bad news.
“Sad” for a small disappointment
English says “that’s sad” when a shop has closed or a plan falls through. Chinese says 太可惜了, “what a pity.” 难过 is for real feelings.
A friend looks down
你怎么了？看起来不太开心。
Qiqi: What’s wrong? You don’t look very happy.
我的猫生病了，我有点难过。
Leon: My cat is ill. I’m a bit sad.
别难过，会好起来的。
Qiqi: Don’t be sad. It’ll get better.
