bei1 cung4 zung1 loi4悲從中來悲从中来
Jyutpingbei1 cung4 zung1 loi4
Yalebēi chùhng jūng lòih
Definition
Overcome by a sudden rush of sorrow; a feeling of sadness rising from within.
colloquialemotion
How it's used
This is a literary idiom that describes a sudden, overwhelming surge of sadness triggered by a specific memory or sight. While it is a four-character idiom, it is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to add a touch of dramatic or poetic flair to a conversation. It implies a deep, internal reaction rather than just a superficial feeling of being upset.
Examples
Thinking about things from the past, sorrow really rushes from my heart.
Related words
Common phrases
cannot help but feel a sudden rush of sorrow
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb phrase, but it is a fixed idiom that should not be modified or broken up. It is also quite heavy in tone, so using it to describe minor inconveniences will sound overly theatrical or sarcastic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
