悲 bēi sorrow
sorrow; sadness; grief
How to remember 悲: 非 not + 心 heart = sorrow. When her goldfish dies, the little girl sobs that life is not fair, and her small heart fills with sorrow.
Component breakdown
悲 = 非 not + 心 heart
- 非 not
- 心 heart
When her goldfish dies, the little girl sobs that life is not fair, and her small heart fills with sorrow.
How it is used
- Grief/sorrow - 悲伤 (bēishāng) sad, 悲哀 (bēi'āi) grieved, 悲痛 (bēitòng) deep sorrow, 悲惨 (bēicǎn) tragic/miserable.
- 悲剧 (bēijù) = tragedy (opp. 喜剧 xǐjù comedy); 悲观 (bēiguān) = pessimistic (opp. 乐观 lèguān).
- 悲欢离合 (bēihuān-líhé) = life's joys and sorrows, partings and reunions. 悲 is heavier, more literary than everyday 难过 (nánguò).