如丧考妣 as if one's parents had died
Explanation
形容极其悲痛，像死了父母一样。
To describe extreme grief, as if one's parents had died.
Origin Story
话说舜帝继位后，他的父亲依然遵循旧制，向他行君臣之礼。有一天，尧帝去世了，天下百姓都非常悲痛，像死了父母一样，哭声震天，哀鸿遍野。舜帝也深感悲痛，亲自为尧帝守丧三年，期间停止一切娱乐活动。这便是“如丧考妣”的典故。这个故事说明，舜帝不仅是一位贤明的君主，更是一位孝顺的儿子，他对百姓和长辈都怀有真挚的感情。
It is said that after Emperor Shun took over the throne, his father still followed the old rules and treated him with courtesy as if he were a monarch and a subject. One day, Emperor Yao passed away. The people throughout the land were extremely sad, as if their parents had died. There was thunderous weeping and wails everywhere. Emperor Shun was also deeply saddened and personally held a three-year mourning ceremony for Emperor Yao, during which all entertainment activities were suspended. This is the origin of the idiom "rú sàng kǎo bǐ". This story shows that Emperor Shun was not only a wise ruler, but also a very filial son who harbored sincere feelings for both his people and his elders.
Usage
表示极度悲伤的心情。
Expresses extreme sadness.
Examples
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噩耗传来，他如丧考妣，悲痛欲绝。
ehao chuánlái, ta rú sàng kǎobǐ, bēitòng yùjué
The bad news came, and he was as grief-stricken as if his parents had died.
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听到父亲去世的消息，他如丧考妣，连日不吃不喝
tīngdào fù qīn qùshì de xiāoxī, tā rú sàng kǎobǐ, liánrì bù chī bù hē
Upon hearing of his father's death, he was as grief-stricken as if his parents had died, and he didn't eat or drink for days