kū: 哭 - to cry, to weep

Keywords: kū, 哭, how to say cry in Chinese, Chinese verb for weep, crying in Chinese, Chinese character for cry, 哭 pinyin, 哭 meaning, Chinese emotion words, HSK 2 vocabulary.

Summary: Learn the essential Chinese verb 哭 (kū), which means “to cry” or “to weep.” This guide breaks down the character's origin, its cultural significance in China, and how to use it in everyday conversation. Discover practical example sentences, common mistakes to avoid, and related terms to express a full range of emotions from sadness to being deeply moved.

Pinyin (with tone marks): kū

Part of Speech: Verb

HSK Level: HSK 2

Concise Definition: To shed tears and often make sounds as an expression of a strong emotion, such as sadness, pain, or joy.

In a Nutshell: 哭 (kū) is the most direct and common word in Chinese for the physical act of crying. It's a fundamental verb that covers everything from a baby's wail to an adult's quiet sobbing. While most often associated with sadness, it can be used for any situation that brings someone to tears.

The character 哭 (kū) is a vivid pictograph representing the act of wailing.

It is composed of two 口 (kǒu) radicals, which mean “mouth,” placed above the radical for 犬 (quǎn), meaning “dog.”

Think of it as two mouths making loud noises, similar to the howling or whining sound a dog makes. This combination powerfully evokes the image of loud, unrestrained crying or wailing. It's a character you can almost *hear*.

In traditional Chinese culture, influenced by Confucian values, emotional restraint (克制, kèzhì) is often highly regarded. Public displays of strong emotions, including crying, were historically seen as a loss of composure, especially for men. Stoicism and enduring hardship without complaint were considered virtues.

This contrasts with modern Western cultures, where open emotional expression is often encouraged as a sign of authenticity and mental health.

However, crying is perfectly acceptable and even expected in certain contexts in China. At funerals, for example, crying is a crucial way to show respect and filial piety for the deceased. In private, among family and close friends, expressing sadness through tears is understood and accepted.

The concept of “crying out one's grievances” (哭诉, kūsù) is also deeply rooted, where crying can be a tool to gain sympathy and highlight injustice. While public stoicism is the default, a dramatic public cry can be a powerful social statement.

哭 (kū) is a very common verb used in all registers of speech, from casual conversation to formal writing.

In Daily Life: You'll frequently hear parents telling their children, “别哭了 (bié kū le)” - “Don't cry.” It's used to describe reactions to movies, breakups, and stressful situations.

On Social Media: The word 哭 is often used hyperbolically. A common internet slang phrase is “哭晕在厕所 (kū yūn zài cèsuǒ),” which literally means “[I] cried until I fainted in the bathroom.” It's used humorously to express extreme frustration, envy, or being overwhelmed by something cute. For example, “My idol is so handsome, 我哭晕在厕所.”

Connotation: The word itself is neutral—it simply describes the action. The context determines whether the crying is from a positive (joy, relief) or negative (sadness, pain) emotion.

哭泣 (kūqì) - A more formal or literary synonym for “to weep” or “to sob.”

流泪 (liú lèi) - To shed tears. Focuses more on the physical act of tears falling than the emotional sound.

伤心 (shāngxīn) - The feeling of being sad or heartbroken. Often a reason to 哭.

难过 (nánguò) - The feeling of being sad or upset. A very common word for feeling bad emotionally.

感动 (gǎndòng) - To be moved or touched emotionally, which can often lead to crying tears of joy or empathy.

笑 (xiào) - The direct antonym: to laugh.

大哭 (dà kū) - To cry loudly, to wail, to bawl.

痛哭 (tòngkū) - To cry bitterly, to weep in anguish or deep pain.

抽泣 (chōuqì) - To sob, to cry with short, sharp breaths.

眼泪 (yǎnlèi) - The noun for “tears.”