愁眉苦脸

1. Basic Information

• Pinyin: chóu méi kǔ liǎn
• English Translation: A worried face, a sorrowful expression, a frown
• Idiom Composition: 「愁」（To worry, to be anxious）＋「眉」（Eyebrow）＋「苦」（Painful, bitter）＋「脸」（Face）
• Meaning: Describes a person frowning with a distressed expression. It indicates a state of worry, melancholy, or being downhearted due to concerns or troubles.

2. Detailed Meaning and Nuances

「愁眉苦脸」 contains the following nuances:

• Deep worry: Expresses a serious state of worry or concern that weighs heavily on the mind.
• Expression of pain: Indicates that physical or mental pain is clearly reflected in one's facial expression.
• Discomfort: Can also express feelings of displeasure or dissatisfaction towards unpleasant events or situations.
• Eliciting sympathy: The expression often evokes sympathy or concern from those around the person.

3. Usage

「愁眉苦脸」 is mainly used in the following contexts:

• Describing facial expressions: Used to describe the facial expression of someone who is worried or troubled.
  • Example:「他因为考试没考好，整天愁眉苦脸的。」
    （He has been wearing a worried face all day because he didn't do well on the exam.）
• Expressing emotions: Indirectly expresses inner melancholy or distress through facial expressions.
  • Example:「面对这样的困境，她只能愁眉苦脸地叹气。」
    （Facing such difficulties, she could only sigh with a sorrowful expression.）
• Describing situations: Used to emphasize the seriousness of difficult or unpleasant situations.
  • Example:「看到他愁眉苦脸的样子，我就知道事情不妙。」
    （Seeing his frowning face, I knew something was wrong.）

Additional Examples:

1. 你总是愁眉苦脸的，有什么心事吗？
   （You always have a gloomy expression; is something bothering you?）
2. 他愁眉苦脸地走进办公室，显然遇到了麻烦。
   （He walked into the office with a troubled look, clearly having encountered some trouble.）
3. 听到这个坏消息，大家都愁眉苦脸，不知如何是好。
   （Upon hearing the bad news, everyone wore a sorrowful expression, not knowing what to do.）
4. 别整天愁眉苦脸的，要积极乐观地面对生活。
   （Don't wear a gloomy face all day; face life with positivity and optimism.）
5. 孩子生病了，母亲愁眉苦脸，非常担心。
   （The child is sick, and the mother has a worried expression, very concerned.）

4. Cultural Background and Notes

• Emphasis on facial expressions: In Chinese culture, emotions are often conveyed more through facial expressions and demeanor than direct verbal expression. The idiom '愁眉苦脸' reflects this cultural tendency.
• Expression of empathy: '愁眉苦脸' is also used to show empathy and solidarity with someone who is suffering or troubled.

5. Similar and Opposite Idioms

• Similar Idioms:
  • 忧心忡忡 (yōu xīn chōng chōng): An extremely worried state of mind.
  • 愁肠百结 (chóu cháng bǎi jié): Deeply melancholic and mentally distressed.
• Opposite Idioms:
  • 喜笑颜开 (xǐ xiào yán kāi): Beaming with joy and smiling broadly.
  • 眉开眼笑 (méi kāi yǎn xiào): Extremely happy, with eyes and eyebrows relaxed in a smile.

6. Summary

'愁眉苦脸' is an idiom describing a worried and distressed facial expression of someone troubled by concerns or worries. In Chinese culture, where emotions are often expressed through facial expressions, this idiom is used to understand and show empathy towards others' feelings.