愁眉苦脸
愁眉苦脸 (chóu méi kǔ liǎn) literally means “worried brows, bitter face” and expresses “look worried and unhappy”. This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships and character. It originates from ancient Chinese literature and remains commonly used in modern Mandarin.
Also searched as: chou mei ku lian, chou mei ku lian,愁眉苦脸 meaning, 愁眉苦脸 in english
Look worried and unhappy
Pronunciation: chóu méi kǔ liǎn
Literal meaning: Worried brows, bitter face
Origin & Usage
This idiom describes worried (愁) brows (眉) and a bitter (苦) face (脸). It depicts the physical manifestation of anxiety and unhappiness in facial expression. The furrowed brow and downturned expression signal distress. Modern usage describes visible worry or displeasure, someone whose face clearly shows they are troubled or unhappy about something.
Examples
English: "He's been looking gloomy ever since he heard about the budget cuts."
Chinese: 自从听说预算削减后，他一直愁眉苦脸。
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does 愁眉苦脸 mean in English?
愁眉苦脸 (chóu méi kǔ liǎn) literally translates to “Worried brows, bitter face” and is used to express “Look worried and unhappy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to the Relationships & Character category.
When is 愁眉苦脸 used?
Situation: This idiom applies when describing situations involving look worried and unhappy.
What is the pinyin for 愁眉苦脸?
The pinyin pronunciation for 愁眉苦脸 is “chóu méi kǔ liǎn”.