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悲哀 vs 悲痛

/ bēiāi vs bēitòng /
Strokes

Definition

悲哀 and 悲痛 both are Adjectives, which means [grieved; sorrowful].

Example

悲哀 and 悲痛, both of the adjectives mean"grieved". If the misfortune is serious, either word will do. For instance, in the following examples, the two adjectives are interchangeable.
1
qīn
母亲
shì
去世
le
  
,
ér
儿女
men
dōu
shí
fēn
bēiāi
悲哀
  
(
bēitòng
悲痛
  
)
  

The daughters and sons felt greatly grieved for their mother's death.

2
Xiǎowáng
小王
zài
fēi
飞机
shīshì
失事
zhōng
nàn
遇难
  
,
péngyou
朋友
men
dōu
hěn
bēiāi
悲哀
  
(
bēitòng
悲痛
  
)
  

Xiao Wang was killed in the air crash and his friends all felt grieved for his death.

If it is some slight feeling of grief or disappointment over some unhappy things, only 悲哀 is used.
3
Kàndào
看到
zhèxiē
这些
shī
失足
de
shàonián
少年
  
,
juéde
觉得
bēiāi
悲哀
  

I felt sorry for these young criminals.

4
Qiūtiān
秋天
dào
liǎo
  
,
biàn
遍地
shì
huáng
黄叶
  
,
duōchóushàngǎn
多愁善感
de
gǎndào
感到
zhǒng
míng
莫名
de
bēiāi
悲哀
  

The fall comes, yellow leaves are everywhere, and she, a sensitive person, felt a nameless grief.

Related

悲痛悲哀