痛不欲生

tòngbù-yùshēng

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

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.

那场事故让他痛不欲生。

Nàchǎng 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