以泪洗面

以淚洗面

yǐlèixǐmiàn

idiom #30,606

Meanings

1 to bathe one's face in tears
2 to weep constantly; to be inconsolable

Characters

Examples

丈夫去世后，她整天以泪洗面。

Zhàngfu qùshì hòu, tā zhěng tiān yǐlèixǐmiàn.

After her husband died, she wept constantly all day long.

听到这个噩耗，他以泪洗面。

Tīngdào zhège èhào, tā yǐlèixǐmiàn.

On hearing the awful news, he was inconsolable in tears.

Tips

usage

Literally 'to use tears to wash one's face' — a vivid image of nonstop crying. Reserved for serious grief (death, betrayal, prolonged separation), not everyday sadness. Often paired with 整日 (all day) or 终日 (the whole day through).

Stroke Order

以 yǐ

泪 lèi

洗 xǐ

面 miàn