Definition
This four-character idiom literally means 'want to cry but have no tears' – it describes a state of extreme sadness, frustration, or helplessness where the emotion is so overwhelming that even tears won't come. It's used when someone is at a loss, shocked, or disappointed beyond words. The tone is often dramatic and literary.
f.e.
to be so sad or frustrated that one can't even cryto be at a complete loss
Examples
- ，欲哭无泪。Tīngdào zhège huài xiāoxi, tā yù kū mó.Hearing the bad news, he felt so upset he couldn't even cry.
- ，欲哭无泪。Xīnkǔ gōngzuò le yì nián de jiǎngjīn tūrán méi le, zhēnshi yù kū mó.The bonus for a whole year of hard work suddenly vanished—truly heartbreaking.
- ，欲哭无泪。Kǎoshì qián yì tiān fāxiàn kèběn diū le, tā yù kū mó.The day before the exam he discovered his textbook was lost—he was at a complete loss.
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