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悲痛欲绝

bēi tòng yù jué

overwhelmed with grief

Character by character

悲bēi
sorrow
痛tòng
pain
欲yù
about to
绝jué
break

Example

得知父亲去世的消息,他悲痛欲绝。
When he learned his father had died, he was devastated.

Tone: neutral.

Usage and origin

For bereavement and tragedy, not everyday disappointment.

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