Understanding "哭泣" - Chinese Word Explanation

1. Basic Information

• Word: 哭泣
• Pinyin: kū qì
• Literal Meaning: "to cry and sob"
• Primary Meaning: To weep or cry, often with audible sobbing. It conveys a stronger emotional expression than just shedding tears.

2. In-depth Explanation

• Context and Usage:
  "哭泣" is used to describe the act of crying, usually with sound (sobbing or wailing). It implies a deeper emotional response, such as sadness, grief, or even overwhelming joy. It’s more intense than "哭" (kū), which can simply mean "to cry" without emphasizing the sound.

• Example contexts: After a loss, during a sad movie, or when feeling extreme pain.

• Character Breakdown:

• 哭 (kū): Means "to cry" or "to weep." The character combines the radical 口 (kǒu, "mouth") with 犬 (quǎn, "dog"), suggesting the sound of crying.
• 泣 (qì): Means "to sob" or "to weep silently." The radical 氵(shuǐ, "water") hints at tears, while 立 (lì, "stand") may imply the act of crying while standing.
  Together, they emphasize both the sound and action of crying.

3. Example Sentences

1. Chinese: 她听到坏消息后开始哭泣。
   Pinyin: Tā tīng dào huài xiāoxi hòu kāishǐ kūqì.
   English: She started crying after hearing the bad news.

2. Chinese: 电影太感人了，很多观众都在哭泣。
   Pinyin: Diànyǐng tài gǎnrén le, hěn duō guānzhòng dōu zài kūqì.
   English: The movie was so touching that many audience members were weeping.

3. Chinese: 他独自在房间里哭泣，没有人知道。
   Pinyin: Tā dúzì zài fángjiān lǐ kūqì, méiyǒu rén zhīdào.
   English: He was sobbing alone in the room, and no one knew.

Cultural Notes

In Chinese culture, openly crying (especially in public) is sometimes seen as a sign of deep emotion, whether sadness or joy. However, traditional values may encourage restraint, particularly for men, as stoicism is often valued. "哭泣" is more likely used in contexts of genuine emotional release, such as funerals or heartfelt reunions.

Conclusion

"哭泣" (kū qì) means "to cry with sobbing" and conveys strong emotions. Remember the characters 哭 (cry) and 泣 (sob) to understand its intensity. Use it when describing heartfelt weeping, not just silent tears. Practice with the examples to master its usage!