心酸 xīnsuān to feel sad
How to remember 心酸: 心 heart + 酸 sour = to feel sad.
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How it is used
- To feel a pang of sadness or heartache - 看到老人独自吃饭，我很心酸 (kàndào lǎorén dúzì chī fàn, wǒ hěn xīnsuān) seeing the old man eat alone made my heart ache.
- That bittersweet, tearful sadness from pity or hardship, gentler and more sympathetic than 难过 (grief).
- Often 一阵心酸 (a wave of heartache); pairs with scenes of struggle or loss.