噩耗
èhào
The Chinese phrase for "sad news" is 噩耗 (èhào).
The term 噩耗 is used specifically to refer to news regarding the death of someone. It is not used for general bad news, such as failing an exam or losing a job.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
噩耗 is a formal and literary term. This makes it more suitable for respectful speech or written announcements than for casual, everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
A common way to use this term in a sentence is with the verb phrase 传来噩耗 (chuán lái èhào), which means "the sad news arrived" or "the news of the death was heard".
How do you pronounce it?
èhào
Did you know?
- The character 噩 in 噩耗 originally described a type of large, frightening drum used in ancient rituals, linking the sound of a sudden announcement to a sense of dread.
- The first character in 噩耗, 噩, can also mean 'nightmare' or 'evil'. This connects the concept of 'sad news' to a sense of profound, unsettling dread rather than just simple sadness.
- In traditional Chinese culture, delivering 噩耗 often involves specific euphemisms to avoid saying the word 'death' directly, as directness is considered taboo and insensitive.
Examples in context
- 我很遗憾地告诉你…I regret to inform you…
- 真不好意思，我要告诉你一个不开心的事情。I feel really sorry, but I need to tell you something that will make you unhappy.
- 听到这个噩耗，我很难过。Tīng dào zhège èhào, wǒ hěn nánguò.I am very sad to hear this sad news.
- 由于噩耗传来，大家都很震惊。Yóuyú èhào chuán lái, dàjiā dōu hěn zhènjīng.Everyone was shocked because the sad news arrived.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking on the phone after hearing about a mutual acquaintance's passing.
- 伟 Wei你听到那个噩耗了吗？Nǐ tīng dào nàge èhào le ma?Did you hear that sad news?
- 雨婷 Yuting听说了，我真的不敢相信。Tīngshuō le, wǒ zhēnde bùgǎn xiāngxìn.I heard, I really can't believe it.
- 伟 Wei太突然了，我很伤心。Tài tūrán le, wǒ hěn shāngxīn.It was so sudden, I am very sad.
- 雨婷 Yuting我也一样，希望他一路走好。Wǒ yě yīyàng, xīwàng tā yīlù zǒuhǎo.Me too, I hope he rests in peace.
