grief

Compared meaning: very deep sadness (noun).

比较义项：极度悲伤（名词）。

• grief 本词

  Grief is the word most strongly linked to death and bereavement, describing the deep sadness felt after a loved one dies; it often appears in set phrases like grief counseling.

  grief 与死亡、丧亲的联系最紧密，指亲人去世后感受到的深切悲痛，常出现在诸如grief辅导这样的固定搭配中。

  She sought grief counseling after her husband's sudden death.

  丈夫骤然离世后，她去接受了grief辅导。

• sorrow

  Sorrow is a broader, more literary word for deep sadness caused by loss or misfortune in general, not necessarily death, and is common in formal or narrative writing.

  sorrow 是更书面、更宽泛的词，指因各种失去或不幸而产生的深切悲伤，不一定与死亡有关，常见于正式或叙事性的文字中。

  Tears of sorrow rolled down her face as she read his letter.

  她读着他的信时，饱含sorrow的泪水从脸颊滑落。

• heartbreak

  Heartbreak describes intense sadness from an emotional letdown, such as a breakup or a crushing loss like a defeat, and sounds more everyday and informal than grief or sorrow.

  heartbreak 指因感情受挫而产生的强烈悲伤，例如分手，或比赛落败这类沉重打击，语气比 grief 和 sorrow 更口语化、更日常。

  Losing the championship game caused real heartbreak for the whole team.

  输掉冠军赛给全队带来了真正的heartbreak。

Grief, sorrow, and heartbreak all mean deep sadness, but focus differs. Grief is most linked to death, the sadness felt after a loved one dies. Sorrow is broader and literary, for deep sadness from any loss. Heartbreak is everyday, for sadness from an emotional setback.

这三个词都表示强烈的悲伤情绪，但侧重和语域不同：grief 多指因亲人离世等重大失去而产生的悲痛，常与哀悼、丧亲相关；sorrow 更书面，泛指各种失去或不幸带来的深切忧伤，常见于正式或文学性文字；heartbreak 语气较口语化，多指感情受挫、比赛失利等打击带来的心碎，不限于死亡。

Compared meaning: deep sadness from loss or hardship (noun).

比较义项：因失去、悲剧或严重挫折而感到的悲伤、心痛（名词）。

• grief 本词

  Grief is the strongest and most definite term, almost always tied to death, bereavement, or a major disaster; it is the standard word for mourning.

  grief 语气最强、含义最明确，几乎总是与死亡、丧亲或重大灾难相关，是表达「哀悼」的标准用词。

  The whole town shared in the family's grief at the funeral.

  整个小镇的人都在葬礼上分担了那家人的悲伤。

• heartbreak

  Heartbreak describes a sudden, intense burst of emotional pain from a major loss or disappointment, such as a breakup or a crushing defeat; it can feel dramatic and be shared publicly.

  heartbreak 指因重大失去或挫折（如分手或惨败）而产生的突如其来、强烈的心碎感，语气可以比较戏剧化，也常用于公开场合。

  The last-minute defeat brought heartbreak to the entire stadium.

  最后一刻的失利让整个体育场都陷入了心碎之中。

• heartache

  Heartache is quieter and more prolonged than heartbreak, often describing lingering sadness or longing, such as missing someone, rather than one dramatic event.

  heartache 比 heartbreak 更安静、更持久，常指思念某人等带来的绵长悲伤，而非某个戏剧性的单一事件。

  He felt a quiet heartache every time he thought about the friend who moved away.

  每次想起搬走的朋友，他心里都会泛起一阵淡淡的心痛。

Grief, heartbreak, and heartache all mean sadness from loss, but strength differs. Grief is strongest, almost always tied to death or a disaster. Heartbreak is sudden and intense, from a big loss like a breakup or defeat. Heartache is quieter and longer, about missing someone.

这三个词都表示因失去或打击而产生的悲伤情绪，但侧重不同：grief 语气最强，多与死亡或重大灾难相关；heartbreak 强调突如其来、强烈的心碎感，也可用于比赛失利等重大打击；heartache 则多指持续、隐忍的心痛或思念之苦。这里不比较 grief 在口语中「麻烦，烦恼」（如 give someone grief）的用法。