Meaning and Usage
"泪水" (lèishuǐ) literally means "tears" or "tear water." It refers to the liquid that comes from the eyes when a person cries. This word is often used in both literal and figurative contexts to describe emotions such as sadness, joy, or relief.
Common Collocations
- 泪水滑落 (tears sliding down): describes tears flowing down the face.
- 泪水止不住 (tears uncontrollable): used when someone cannot stop crying.
- 泪水和笑容 (tears and smiles): contrasting emotions often mentioned together.
Usage Notes
"泪水" is a more poetic or literary term compared to just "眼泪" (yǎnlèi), which also means tears. It is often used in written language, songs, or emotional speeches. When speaking casually, people might prefer "眼泪."
Avoid confusing "泪水" with "水" alone, which means water in general. "泪水" specifically refers to tears.
Register and Tone
The word carries a somewhat formal or poetic tone and is suitable for emotional or descriptive contexts. It is not typically used in very casual or technical speech.