ham4 leoi6含淚含泪

Jyutpingham4 leoi6

Yalehàhm leuih

副詞Rare

Definition

With tears in one's eyes; reluctantly doing something with a note of sadness.

with tears in one's eyes; on the verge of crying
figurativedoing something very reluctantly and with a heavy heart

writtenemotiondescriptions

How it's used

This term is primarily used in written or formal speech to describe a state of suppressed emotion or forced resignation. While it literally means holding back tears, it often implies a sense of tragic beauty or profound sadness that is rarely used in casual, everyday banter. It is most common in news reports, literature, or when describing a particularly moving or dramatic scene.

Examples

keoi5佢ham4含leoi6淚tung4同ngo5我gong2講，waa6話jiu3要bun1搬zau2走laa3喇。

She told me with tears in her eyes that she had to move away.

nei5你zou6做me1咩ham4含leoi6淚mong6望zyu6住ngo5我aa4呀？

Why are you looking at me with tears in your eyes?

Common phrases

ham4含leoi6淚gou3告bit6別

to bid farewell in tears

ham4含leoi6淚mei4微siu3笑

to smile through tears

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is actively sobbing or wailing, as it specifically focuses on the presence of unshed or welling tears. Using it for a child crying over a broken toy would sound overly poetic and unnatural.