<p>Let me tell you, 悲伤 is pure sadness and can be used widely, 哀伤 also means sadness but usually be used in poems and essays for emphasis, 悲哀 is a little bit sadness but more showing pity or regretful.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-27T23:40:20.640Z
2015-04-27T23:40:20.640Z
Shao Guo
<p>I don't think that is the case. 悲哀 is perhaps used more often, which gives the feeling that it is less formal.. But if you asked me, I would say they are interchangeable and convey the same feeling.
On the other hand. Some might say they differ in severity. 哀伤 悲伤悲哀 decrease in degree of sadness. But the difference is so subtle and subjective that I don't think its worth learning. Unless of course you want to be an expert in Chinese literature.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-27T21:46:25.130Z
2015-04-27T21:56:11.127Z
2015-04-27T21:56:11.127Z
jxhyc
<p>“哀伤” is usually a noun, while “悲伤” and “悲哀” are usually adjective.</p>
<p>“哀伤”, “悲伤” both could mean <em>severe</em> sadness, and are often used in the context that one has lost someone he loved or something he valued.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>任何语言都无法形容他失去亲人的<em>哀伤</em>。</p>
<p>No words could describe the sorrow of losing his family.</p>
<p>刚刚失去亲人的他看起来十分<em>悲伤</em>。</p>
<p>Having lost his family, he looks very sad.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Though “悲哀” could mean sadness in some context (like on a funeral), it mostly means “pitiful”, and is more often used to describe things rather than emotion.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>人，失去了梦想，是多么<em>悲哀</em>的事情。</p>
<p>How pitiful it is, when one loses his dreams.</p>
<p>你为了金钱丧失了尊严，我真为你感到<em>悲哀</em>！</p>
<p>You lost your honor for money. I feel sorry for you.</p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-04-28T08:06:03.040Z
2015-04-28T08:06:03.040Z
2020-06-17T09:50:11.587Z
RnMss
<p>From what I have learned, or I remember I have learned, <code>悲哀</code>, <code>悲傷</code>, and <code>哀傷</code> all mean sadness and are interchangeable. However, as I remember, I have read <code>悲傷</code> and <code>哀傷</code> in academic/professional writings, but not the word <code>悲哀</code>. On the other hand, I have barely seen <code>悲傷</code> or <code>哀傷</code> used in colloquial context, such as on social networking sites. </p>

<p>Is it the case that <code>悲哀</code> is preferred in colloquial context; while <code>悲傷</code> and <code>哀傷</code> are preferred in formal context? Or, if I was wrong, do they actually have different meanings?</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

<word-choice><meaning><usage><difference><formal>
Formality of "悲哀" as opposed to "悲傷" and "哀傷"
# Formality of "悲哀" as opposed to "悲傷" and "哀傷"

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-04-27)

From what I have learned, or I remember I have learned, `悲哀`, `悲傷`, and `哀傷` all mean sadness and are interchangeable. However, as I remember, I have read `悲傷` and `哀傷` in academic/professional writings, but not the word `悲哀`. On the other hand, I have barely seen `悲傷` or `哀傷` used in colloquial context, such as on social networking sites.

Is it the case that `悲哀` is preferred in colloquial context; while `悲傷` and `哀傷` are preferred in formal context? Or, if I was wrong, do they actually have different meanings?

Thanks in advance!

**Tags:** word-choice, meaning, usage, difference, formal


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## 3 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2015-04-28. Score: 5 | Accepted answer

“哀伤” is usually a noun, while “悲伤” and “悲哀” are usually adjective.

“哀伤”, “悲伤” both could mean *severe* sadness, and are often used in the context that one has lost someone he loved or something he valued.

> 任何语言都无法形容他失去亲人的*哀伤*。
>
> No words could describe the sorrow of losing his family.
>
> 刚刚失去亲人的他看起来十分*悲伤*。
>
> Having lost his family, he looks very sad.

Though “悲哀” could mean sadness in some context (like on a funeral), it mostly means “pitiful”, and is more often used to describe things rather than emotion.

> 人，失去了梦想，是多么*悲哀*的事情。
>
> How pitiful it is, when one loses his dreams.
>
> 你为了金钱丧失了尊严，我真为你感到*悲哀*！
>
> You lost your honor for money. I feel sorry for you.


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### Answer by username_1 on 2015-04-27. Score: 3

Let me tell you, 悲伤 is pure sadness and can be used widely, 哀伤 also means sadness but usually be used in poems and essays for emphasis, 悲哀 is a little bit sadness but more showing pity or regretful.


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### Answer by username_2 on 2015-04-27. Score: 2

I don't think that is the case. 悲哀 is perhaps used more often, which gives the feeling that it is less formal.. But if you asked me, I would say they are interchangeable and convey the same feeling.
On the other hand. Some might say they differ in severity. 哀伤 悲伤悲哀 decrease in degree of sadness. But the difference is so subtle and subjective that I don't think its worth learning. Unless of course you want to be an expert in Chinese literature.


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