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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'tear-streaked' or 'crying profusely' with 泪流满面 (lèi liú mǎn miàn)

    Degree & Intensity
    Description & Modification

    Structure

    泪流满面 + 地 + Verb

    Explanation

    泪流满面 (lèi liú mǎn miàn) is a four-character expression meaning 'tears streaming down one's face' or 'crying profusely.' It literally describes tears flowing across the entire face. It is used as an adverbial modifier with 地 to describe how someone performs an action.

    Examples

    • 听到这个消息，她泪流满面地跑出了房间。

      Tīngdào zhège xiāoxi, tā lèi liú mǎn miàn de pǎo chū le fángjiān.

      Upon hearing the news, she ran out of the room with tears streaming down her face.

    • 老人泪流满面地讲述着过去的故事。

      Lǎorén lèi liú mǎn miàn de jiǎngshù zhe guòqù de gùshi.

      The old man recounted stories of the past with tears streaming down his face.

    • 电影结束时，观众们都泪流满面。

      Diànyǐng jiéshù shí, guānzhòngmen dōu lèi liú mǎn miàn.

      When the movie ended, the audience was all in tears.

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