恸
How to Say
How to Write
Meaning: grief
💡 Think: 'tòng' sounds like 'torn'—grief tears the heart apart.
Compounds
Character Story & Explanation
Unearthing the character 恸 (tòng), we find its core meaning 'grief' etched in its structure. The radical 忄 (heart) on the left reveals an emotional state, while the right component 动 (dòng, 'move') suggests a stirring of the soul. In classical texts, 恸 describes profound sorrow strong enough to move heaven and earth, often associated with mourning for a loved one. It appears in literary works like the 'Records of the Grand Historian,' where it captures the depths of human anguish.
Example Sentences
Common Compounds
Similar Characters — Don't Mix These Up
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