Back to all idioms

愁眉苦脸(愁眉苦臉)

chóu méi kǔ liǎnRelationships & Character

愁眉苦脸 (chóu méi kǔ liǎn) literally meansworried brows, bitter faceand expresseslook worried and unhappy”.This idiom is used when describing situations involving relationships & character.

Also searched as: chou mei ku lian, chou mei ku lian,愁眉苦脸 meaning, 愁眉苦脸 in english

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.

When to Use

Situation: He's been looking gloomy ever since he heard about the budget cuts.


Discover a new Chinese idiom every day with our iOS app.

Related Chinese Idioms

Similar idioms about relationships & character

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 愁眉苦脸 mean in English?

愁眉苦脸 (chóu méi kǔ liǎn) literally translates toWorried brows, bitter faceand is used to expressLook worried and unhappy”. This Chinese idiom belongs to theRelationships & Character category..

When is 愁眉苦脸 used?

Situation: He's been looking gloomy ever since he heard about the budget cuts.

What is the pinyin for 愁眉苦脸?

The pinyin pronunciation for 愁眉苦脸 ischóu méi kǔ liǎn”.

Curated Lists Featuring 愁眉苦脸