痛不欲生

tòngbùyùshēng

idiom #14,916

Meanings

1 to be so grieved as to wish one were dead
2 in unbearable pain or sorrow

Characters

pain; ache; to hurt

to desire; to want

Examples

HSK 3

失去亲人后，她痛不欲生。

Shīqù qīnrén hòu, tā tòngbùyùshēng.

After losing her loved one, she was so grief-stricken she wished she were dead.

HSK 3

那场事故让他痛不欲生。

Nà chǎng shìgù ràng tā tòngbùyùshēng.

That accident left him in unbearable pain.

Tips

usage

痛不欲生 can describe extreme physical pain or emotional grief. It is a very strong expression and should be used for truly devastating situations, not minor discomfort.

Stroke Order

痛 tòng

不 bù

欲 yù

生 shēng