痛哭流涕

tòngkū-liútì
idiom #28,772

Meanings

  1. 1 to weep bitterly
  2. 2 to cry one's eyes out
  3. 3 weeping with tears streaming down

Examples

HSK 7-9
Tīngdào èhào, tā dāngchǎng tòngkū-liútì.
On hearing the terrible news, she burst into bitter tears on the spot.
HSK 7-9
Tā zài zhìcí jiéshù shí tòngkū-liútì, lìngrén dòngróng.
He wept bitterly at the end of his speech, moving everyone present.

Tips

memory
Each character adds intensity: (agonizing) + (cry) + (flow) + (tears/snot): agonizing crying with tears and mucus flowing. It paints a complete, vivid picture of uncontrolled weeping.

Stroke Order

tòng
liú