呜呼哀哉 wū hū āi zāi Alas!

Explanation

表达悲痛、惋惜之情的感叹词,常用于祭文中或表达对不幸事件的惋惜之情。

An exclamation expressing sorrow and regret, often used in funeral rites or to express regret for unfortunate events.

Origin Story

战国时期,魏国名将吴起率军征战,屡立战功。然而,在一次与秦军的战斗中,吴起不幸中箭身亡,他的部下悲痛欲绝,齐声高呼:“呜呼哀哉!将军壮志未酬,英年早逝,我等将士痛失良帅!”吴起的死,令魏国上下悲痛不已,人们为他建造了衣冠冢,以示敬仰和怀念。一代名将,就此陨落,令人扼腕叹息,呜呼哀哉!

zhànguó shíqī, wèiguó míng jiàng wú qǐ shuài jūn zhēngzhàn, lǚ lì zhànggōng. rán'ér, zài yī cì yǔ qínjūn de zhàndòu zhōng, wú qǐ bùxìng zhòng jiàn shēnwáng, tā de bùxià bēitòng yùjué, qíshēng gāohū: “wū hū āi zāi! jiāngjūn zhuàngzhì wèichóu, yīngnián zǎoshì, wǒ děng jiàngshì tòng shī liángshuài!” wú qǐ de sǐ, lìng wèiguó shàngxià bēitòng bù yǐ, rénmen wèi tā jiànzào le yīguānzōng, yǐ shì jìngyǎng hé huáiniàn. yīdài míng jiàng, jǐcū yǔnluò, lìng rén èwǎn tànxī, wū hū āi zāi!

During the Warring States period, Wu Qi, a famous general of the Wei state, led his troops to battle and repeatedly made great achievements. However, in a battle against the Qin army, Wu Qi was unfortunately struck by an arrow and died. His subordinates were heartbroken and shouted in unison: “Alas! The general died young, his ambition unfulfilled, and we soldiers have lost a good commander!” Wu Qi's death plunged the Wei state into grief. People built a memorial tomb for him to show their respect and remembrance. A generation of famous generals, thus fell, causing people to sigh and lament, alas!

Usage

用于表达对死亡或不幸事件的强烈悲痛、惋惜之情,多用于书面语,也可用作感叹。

yòng yú biǎodá duì sǐwáng huò bùxìng shìjiàn de qiángliè bēitòng, wǎnxī zhī qíng, duō yòng yú shūmiàn yǔ, yě kě yòng zuò gǎntàn.

Used to express strong sorrow and regret for death or unfortunate events, mostly used in written language, but can also be used as an exclamation.

Examples

  • 将军战死沙场,呜呼哀哉!

    zhāngjūn zhànsǐ shāchǎng, wū hū āi zāi!

    The general died on the battlefield, alas!

  • 这计划失败了,真是呜呼哀哉!

    zhè jìhuà shībài le, zhēnshi wū hū āi zāi!

    The plan has failed, what a pity!