Here are six listed in approximate order, from grief down to sentimental melancholy: 1.
痛心 / tòngxīn Literally “ache/pain + heart” 痛心 is commonly used when referring to anguish, grief and regret. Used following tragic or terrible events. Examples:
Zhè jiā rén duì tāmen de sǔnshī gǎndào tòngxīn. 这家人对他们的损失感到很痛心。 The family was feeling deep sorrow for their loss. Wǒmen dōu hé nǐ yíyàng tòngxīn. 我们都和你一样痛心. We all share your great sadness. 2. 悲伤 / bēishāng Literally “sad + hurt” On a scale from 1-10, 痛心 is 9, whereas 悲伤 would be less severe, about 6 or 7. 悲伤 describes when we are deeply sad, perhaps about loss of family or friend, or when lamenting about the past. Examples: Wǒ cóngwèi tīngshuō guò rúcǐ bēishāng de shì le. 我从未听说过如此悲伤的事了 I’ve never heard of such a sad/sorrowful thing. 3. 伤心 / shāngxīn Literally “injured + heart” 伤心 is the heartbreak we feel when a long relationship ends or even