悲喜交加

bēixǐ-jiāojiā
idiom #34,961

Meanings

  1. 1 mixed feelings of sorrow and joy
  2. 2 tears and laughter at the same moment
  3. 3 bittersweet

Examples

HSK 5
Bìyè diǎnlǐ shàng, tóngxué men bēixǐ-jiāojiā.
At the graduation ceremony, the classmates felt a mix of sadness and happiness.
HSK 7-9
Kàndào shīsàn duōnián de nǚ'ér, tā bēixǐ-jiāojiā.
Seeing the daughter she had been separated from for years, she felt both sorrow and joy.

Tips

usage
Structurally a four-character set phrase: ('sad') + ('happy') + 交加 ('coming together'). Same pattern as 风雨交加 ('wind and rain together' = stormy) and 饥寒交加 ('hunger and cold together' = destitute). Reserve for emotionally intense moments - reunions, graduations, partings - not for everyday mood mixing.

Stroke Order

bēi
jiāo
jiā