泪 (lèi) — Tears: Chinese Character Tattoo Meaning & Guide

Meaning & Nuance

泪 (lèi) means “tears.” In the simplified form it is beautifully literal — 氵 (water) beside 目 (eye), “water from the eyes.” As a tattoo it can mark grief honored, healing after loss, or the truth that feeling deeply is human. It is more vulnerable than 笑 (xiào, laughter) and pairs naturally with it as life's two faces.

Pronunciation & Form

Pinyin: lèi — a fourth-tone (sharp, falling) syllable. The simplified character joins the water radical 氵 on the left with 目 (eye) on the right — tears as water from the eyes.

Common Words & Phrases

眼泪 yǎnlèi — tears

泪水 lèishuǐ — tears

流泪 liúlèi — shed tears

泪痕 lèihén — tear stains

泪眼 lèiyǎn — tearful eyes

热泪 rèlèi — warm tears

Why Get 泪 as a Tattoo

泪 is a raw, honest tattoo — chosen to honor grief, survival, or the courage to feel. It reads as “tears” to Chinese readers and its literal water-from-eyes form carries meaning even at a glance. It pairs with 笑 (laughter) to show both sides of a life, or stands alone as a mark of having cried and kept going.

Tattoo Style & Placement

Best fits: fine-line, minimalist, or single-needle. 泪 is compact and works as a small character on the inner wrist, collarbone, or behind the ear. A delicate 泪 near the eye or on the forearm is intimate. Keep it at least ~4 mm tall so the eye component reads clearly.

Authenticity & Cultural Note

Always confirm the character with a native speaker or linguist before inking. 泪 (lèi, tears) is sometimes confused with 类 (lèi, kind/sort) by translation tools; a verified 泪 reads as “tears.” handmade.ink meanings are checked by native Chinese linguists.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Chinese character 泪 mean?

泪 (lèi) means “tears” — literally “water (氵) from the eye (目).”

How do you pronounce 泪?

泪 is pronounced lèi, a fourth-tone (falling) syllable in Mandarin.

Is 泪 a good tattoo meaning?

It is a vulnerable, honest choice — it marks grief honored or healing, and reads as “tears” to Chinese readers.

What words use the character 泪?

Common words include 眼泪 (yǎnlèi, tears), 泪水 (lèishuǐ, tears), 流泪 (liúlèi, shed tears), 泪痕 (lèihén, tear stains), and 热泪 (rèlèi, warm tears).

What is the difference between 泪 and 笑?

泪 is tears; 笑 (xiào) is laughter. Together they capture life's two faces.

Can 泪 be paired with another character?

Often with 笑, or as part of the phrase 热泪盈眶 (eyes brimming with tears).

泪 (lèi) — Tears